Legionella (Legionnaires' Disease and Pontiac Fever)
Legionnaires’ (LEE-juh-nares) disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella (LEE-juh-nell-a) bacteria. Legionella can also cause a milder illness called Pontiac fever. People can get sick when they breathe in mist or accidently swallow water into the lungs containing Legionella. Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. However, people 50 years or older, current or former smokers, and people with a weakened immune system or chronic disease are at increased risk.
Causes, how it spreads, people at increased risk, signs and symptoms, treatment and complications…
Facts about Legionella and the illnesses it can cause…
Disease information, clinical features, complications, diagnostic testing…
Resources for surveillance, reporting, investigation, communication...
Legionnaires' disease response plan for state and local laboratories, ELITE Program...
Prevention tools for building owners and managers, hot tub operators, healthcare facility staff...
Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks are commonly associated with human-made building water systems...
Answers to commonly asked questions about Legionnaires’ disease...
Materials, guidelines, publications...
Get practical guidance on how to implement industry standards for effective water management programs. Learn how to identify areas or devices in buildings where Legionella might grow or spread to people.
Own or manage a building that may need a water management program? Find out what you need to know about
Healthcare facilities face unique challenges. Learn more about water management programs in healthcare facilities.
Take this free training on creating a water management program.
CDC developed six instructional videos on various environmental aspects of Legionnaires’ disease outbreak investigations.
CDC created the Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) Program as a way for laboratories to test their Legionella isolation techniques against standardized samples.