You can catch Legionnaires' disease if you breathe in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that cause the infection. Hoteliers are warned that their stagnant water systems may lead to harmful bacteria forming which may cause Legionnaires Disease once they reopen. However, hoteliers are now being warned that their stagnant water systems may pose a “serious threat” of being a breeding ground for Legionnaires Disease, a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. It is caused by the spread of Legionella bacteria in stagnant water in an inactive plumbing system, as hot stagnant water temperatures can decrease to 25–42°C, a breeding ground for Legionella. Shower heads, ice makers, toilets, water taps are also cleaned and disinfected with appropriate procedures and measures in place for future use.

Source: Irish Independent June 16, 2020 22:07 UTC