Passport? Check. Flights? Check. Hotel? Check. Legionella assessment???
With recent outbreaks of Legionnaires Disease at popular hotels, many people are raising concerns about Legionella in hotels and the tourism industry as a whole. With this in mind, we’re looking at the Legionella risks in hotels and whether you should be worried about Legionella on holiday.
What Is Legionella?
Legionella is a water-borne pathogen. It is best known for causing Legionnaires’ disease. This is contracted by inhaling small drops of water, (aerosols), not by drinking.
Not everyone who comes into contact with Legionella will contract the disease. People who are immuno-compromised, over the age of 55 or people suffering from lung, heart or kidney disease are more likely to contract Legionnaires Disease. If contracted, the disease can sadly prove fatal.
Why Is Legionella Control in Hotels Important?
When you actually sit down and think about it, water plays a vital part in the running of hotels.
From food production and laundry service to guest facilities such as pools and hot tubs, water is everywhere in hotels. Although all of this provides great facilities for hotel guests, it also increases the risk of Legionella. As Legionella contamination puts the safety of hotels guests at risk, as well as causing a large impact on the hotel’s finances and reputation, it is vital that hotels to install a proven water treatment modality to control Legionella.
Should I Worry About Legionella On Holiday?
Holidays are an exciting time and should be something to look forward to. It’s natural to worry about the safety of yourself and your family on holiday. However, here at ProEconomy, we don’t think Legionella should be a concern.
The impact of an outbreak on hotels can be detrimental to a hotel’s reputation and finances, not to mention guest safety. With this in mind, it is in the hotel’s best interests to install a proven water treatment modality and ensure they are effectively controlling Legionella. Adding to this, all hotels must complete a Legionella risk assessment and keep record of Legionella management by law.
Taking all of this into account, it makes Legionella outbreaks at hotels relatively slim. Therefore, it is best to ignore scaremongering articles and remember that there is no real need for you to worry.
However, as with all illnesses, it is worth knowing the symptoms of Legionnaires Disease as early detection and treatment is key to making a full recovery. If you are concerned about Legionella on holiday, contact your hotel to find out details of their water treatment and safety policy. Alternatively, if you are a hotel concerned about Legionella, contact us for a free Legionella water test at your site.
