What is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called Pontiac fever. People can get Legionnaires disease or Pontiac Fever when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain Legionella.

• Legionnaires’ Disease FAQ’s
• Delaware Legionella Response Plan

Reporting a case

Complete Morbidity Report and email to reportdisease@delaware.gov, fax to 302-622-4149

Or call the 24/7 hotline 1-888-295-5156

For Health Care Providers

• Indications for Testing
• Importance of Collecting Patient Travel History
• Preferred Diagnostic Testing
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Test
• Treatment

Delaware Public Health Lab (DPHL)Legionella Testing Capabilities

• Legionella detection and identification

Want to test your water for Legionella?

⇒ Stop by Tuesday-Thursday from 8am-4pm to pick up a Legionella sample kit at DPHL 30 Sunnyside Road Smyrna, 19977

For Building Owners

The key to preventing Legionnaires’ disease is to reduce the risk of Legionella growth and spread. Building owners and managers can do this by maintaining building water systems and implementing controls for Legionella.

Is your building at increased risk for Legionella growth & spread?

• CDC toolkit in controlling Legionella in Common Sources of Exposure:
• Potable Water Systems
•  Cooling Towers
• Hot Tubs
• Decorative Fountains
• Other Water Devices
• Routine Testing
• Considerations When Working With Legionella Consultants

Vacation Rental Owners

• Providing a Home For Guests, not Legionella 

Hotel Owners and Managers

• Considerations for Hotel Owners and Managers: How to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease

For Healthcare Facilities  

Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expects Medicare and Medicare/ Medicaid certified healthcare facilities to have water management policies and procedures to reduce the risk of growth and spread of Legionella and other opportunistic pathogens in building water systems.

• CMS survey and certification memo
• Water Management Plans for Healthcare Facilities
• ASHRAE STANDARD 188

Additional Resources

• Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease Training
• Legionella Environmental Assessment Form
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Contact the Legionnaires Disease Advisory Committee with additional questions at

legionellaresourceaccount@delaware.gov

Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology

24/7 Emergency Contact Number: 1-888-295-5156

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