Climate Change Is Bringing Legionnaire’s Disease to a Town Near You
1 min read
Summary
An increase in Legionnaire’s disease is being experienced in New York, Michigan and other areas of the US as a result of climate change providing ideal conditions for the potentially deadly bacteria to thrive.
Warmer weather and heavier rainfall are to blame for the surge in cases, particularly in cities with aging infrastructure, where the bacteria can easily penetrate water systems.
The bacteria spreads through inhalation of tiny drops of contaminated water, causing a severe lung infections and a death rate of around 10% for those infected.
Poorly maintained cooling systems in areas of low income are more likely to be affected, as the bacteria proliferates and spreads to nearby neighbourhoods.
Anyone can contract the disease, but those most at risk are the elderly, young children, pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems.
