Legionnaires Disease

Advice and guidance for businesses and employers on the control of legionnaires disease.

Legionella bacteria which cause legionnaires disease can spread from inhaling small droplets of water suspended in the air.

Outbreaks occur from purpose-built water systems where temperatures are warm enough to encourage growth of the bacteria, such as:

• cooling towers
• evaporative condensers
• whirlpool spas (tradename Jacuzzi)
• water used for domestic purposes in buildings such as hotels and residential care homes

Most community outbreaks in the UK have been linked to installations such as cooling towers or evaporative condensers which can spread droplets of water over a wide area.

These are found as part of air-conditioning and industrial cooling systems.

This section has guidance on the legal duties of employers and providers of residential accommodation for the control of legionnaires disease.