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Legionnaires' Symposium 2011
slegs in Engels beskikbaar
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» Practical Legionella Risk Management A South African Perspective- Alan Sanderson Ecosafe
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» Legionnaires Disease Hospital Engineering Perspective - Andy Cunningham
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» Legionnaires Disease Case Investigation An Enviromental Health Perspective form the City of Cape Town - Ian Gildenhuys
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» Legionellosis Clinical Picture & Treatment - Jantjie Taljaard Stellenbosch University
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» Legionella History, Environment & Microbiology - Rob Stewart NHLS Infections Control Service Lab
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» Legionnaires Disease Laboratory Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Outbreak response - Dr Juno Thomas
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» Laboratory Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Outbreak response - Dr Juno Thomas
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National Legionnaires' Disease Symposium 2011
Slegs in Engels beskikbaar
A Legionnaires' Disease Symposium organized by the Centre for Infectious Diseases of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University with the help of the Health Department of the City of Cape Town in the Civic Center on the 12th of May 2011. National experts in fields ranging from senior staff of the National Department of Health, environmental health practitioners, microbiologists, risk assessment consultants, infectious disease clinicians, hospital and hotel and a media consultant spoke at the symposium which was chaired by Dr Bromfield the Executive Director of the City Health Department and Dr Cameron of the Centre for infectious Diseases.
Legionellae are common organisms found in many open water sources and tend to exploit man-made aquatic systems. The organisms are spread to humans through the inhalation of aerosols of contaminated water from hot water systems (showers), air conditioning towers, evaporative condensers, whirlpool spas, decorative fountains, respiratory therapy and wastewater treatment plants for wood, paper, petroleum and sewage.
Legionellae grow best at temperatures between 25 - 40oC and survive adverse conditions in biofilms. Biofilms are aggregations of microorganisms and protozoa which adhere to each other along surfaces in aquatic environments especially in dead-leg pipes.
Outbreaks are often linked to high-rise buildings hospitals, hotels, old age homes, schools and cruise ships, and so tend to be newsworthy and costly.
Legionella pneumonia cause occasional outbreaks of flu like illness, progressing to toxicity with high fever with gastrointestinal symptoms and pneumonia. People over 50 and those immune compromised are more at risk. The mortality rate in hospital is high if not treated with the appropriate antibiotics. Incorrect laboratory sampling and testing complicates identification, diagnosis and management. Good environmental control is an essential part of managing the risk of Legionnaires' disease especially hospitals and hotels. A major international hotel group is currently being sued for millions of US dollars by the family of a man who died from legionnaires' disease after sleeping over in one of their hotels.
Report by:
Dr Neil Cameron nac@sun.ac.za and Dr Bart Willems bartwillemsza@yahoo.com
Photo: Dr Bart Willems
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US ontvang $10 miljoen befondsing van VSA vir mediese onderrig en navorsingsopleiding
Mediese onderrig en navorsingsopleiding in Suid-Afrika het 'n uitsonderlike befondsingstoekenning van $10 miljoen ontvang , toe die Universiteit Stellenbosch as deel van 'n mulitmiljoen dollar projek van die VSA aangewys is. Die VSA-projek het ten doel om kapasiteitbou in die veld van mediese onderrig in sub-Sahara Afrika te bevorder. Lees meer...
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Pandemie (novel) H1N1 Griep
tans slegs in Engels beskikbaar
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