Worryingly, about one out of every 10 people who get sick with the disease will die due to complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Legionella can be found in air conditioning systems, spa pools, hot tubs, taps and showers that are not used often, or even in damp garden potting compost.
The NHS explains that people usually pick it up in places like hotels, hospitals or offices where the bacteria reached the water supply.
There are five warning signs of the condition that could ring alarm bells, including:
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- High temperature
- Flu-like symptoms (headaches, muscle pain, tiredness and chills).
The health service adds that you may need to visit the hospital if you’re diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease to receive proper treatment.
While the condition can sometimes prove fatal, most people are able to make a full recovery, but it might take a few weeks.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have urged Brits to be careful of Legionnaires’ disease after a company was hit with an outbreak.
Legionella bacteria had grown in the water-cooling towers and pipes of Riaar Plastics Limited, at its site on Black Lake, West Bromwich, exposing employees and members of the public.
Five people became ill and one person was even rushed to intensive care.
Riaar Plastics Limited was fined £50,000 and made to pay £11,000 costs earlier this month.
HSE principal inspector Jenny Skeldon said: “The condition of the cooling towers at this site was the worst I had ever seen. The Legionella exposure risk to employees, site visitors, neighbouring duty holders and members of the public was extreme in nature.
“Exposure to Legionella can cause death or serious illness where water cooling systems are not being managed effectively.
“It is really important that proactive management of the risk from Legionella bacteria is taken seriously.”
To try and prevent the spread of the pesky bacteria, make sure to use disinfectant in pools and similar areas where it might spread.
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