Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Legionella Water Management Program Performance across a United States Lodging Organization

Jasen M. Kunz (), Elizabeth Hannapel, Patrick Vander Kelen, Janie Hils, Edward Rickamer Hoover and Chris Edens
Additional contact information
Jasen M. Kunz: Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop H24-11, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Elizabeth Hannapel: Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop H24-6, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
Patrick Vander Kelen: Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop S106-5, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
Janie Hils: Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop S106-5, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
Edward Rickamer Hoover: Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop S106-5, 4770 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
Chris Edens: Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop H24-6, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 19, 1-13

Abstract: Legionella , the bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease, can grow and spread in building water systems and devices. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted building water systems through reductions in water usage. Legionella growth risk factors can be mitigated through control measures, such as flushing, to address stagnation, as part of a water management program (WMP). A national lodging organization (NLO) provided WMP data, including Legionella environmental testing results for periods before and during the pandemic. The statistical analysis revealed an increased risk of water samples testing positive for Legionella during the pandemic, with the greatest increase in risk observed at the building’s cold-water entry test point. Sample positivity did not vary by season, highlighting the importance of year-round Legionella control activities. The NLO’s flushing requirements may have prevented an increased risk of Legionella growth during the pandemic. However, additional control measures may be needed for some facilities that experience Legionella detections. This analysis provides needed evidence for the use of flushing to mitigate the impacts of building water stagnation, as well as the value of routine Legionella testing for WMP validation. Furthermore, this report reinforces the idea that WMPs remain the optimal tool to reduce the risk of Legionella growth and spread in building water systems.

Keywords: Legionella; Legionnaires’ disease; water management; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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