Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease

CDC investigations found that 9 in 10 outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease were caused by problems preventable with more effective management of water systems.

CDC helps build capacity in health departments for Legionnaires’ disease response and prevention. Explore our Legionnaires’ disease resources for environmental health professionals.

Reopening Buildings After Prolonged Shutdown or Reduced Operation

Running water in bathroom sinks to flush a building water system.

Ensure the safety of your occupants and building water systems and devices.

Hot Tub Displays and Legionella Risk

graphic of a hot tub with characters around it that may be at risk, elderly woman, man smoking.

Learn how to minimize risk for Legionella exposure from hot tub displays at temporary events (for example, fairs, home and garden shows, conventions).

Water Management Gaps and Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreaks

Icon with a building and exclamation over it to signify danger from the cooling towers.

Learn how to start a drinking water program to protect people in your community whose water comes from private wells.

PreventLD Training: A Training on Legionella Water Management Programs

Take this training from CDC and partners on creating a water management program to reduce risk for Legionnaires’ disease.

Procedures for Identifying Cooling Towers

Photo shows arrows pointing to the fan blades on a cooling tower.

Read a stepwise procedure and strategies to locate cooling towers.

Racial Disparities and Legionnaires’ Disease

Learn about drivers of health disparities and explore what they mean for future research and practice.

Toolkit for Controlling Legionella in Common Sources of Exposure

Focus and improve Legionella control efforts and protect the safety of a building’s employees, visitors, and surrounding community.

Legionella Environmental Assessment Form and Marking Guide

Use this form to document a facility’s water systems, help determine whether to conduct Legionella environmental sampling, and, if so, develop a sampling plan.

Environmental Investigation Videos

Watch instructional videos that explain Legionella ecology, environmental assessments, and sampling techniques.

More CDC and Partner Resources

Explore more Legionella resources for environmental health professionals.

Turning the Tide: The Role of Water Management to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease (CDC Public Health Grand Rounds)

Legionella (Legionnaires’ Disease and Pontiac Fever) (CDC’s comprehensive website)

Infographics

Page last reviewed: March 18, 2022

Content source: National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice