Preventive measures for managing Legionella in drinking water systems during epidemics

ABSTRACT

This paper describes and summarizes the strategies and measures that should be applied in Croatia to prevent Legionella contamination in drinking water systems in buildings during the COVID-19 epidemic. Legionella colonisation in drinking water installations increases the risk of infection for humans and it is important to point out that this public health problem is even greater during other epidemics. Legionella can cause very severe types of pneumonia called Legionnaires' disease and less serious illness Pontiac fever. Therefore, Croatia will implement the new EU Directive 2020/2184 on the quality of water intended for human consumption into its legislation, which for the first time includes an obligation to assess the risk of Legionella. This should help reduce the health risk or complications of respiratory infections (severe pneumonia) and mortality during other epidemics (COVID-19 and similar).