The relationship between meteorological variables and sporadic cases of Legionnaires' disease in residents of England and Wales

Halsby, Kate; Joseph, C; Lee, J. V.; Wilkinson, Paul

doi:10.1017/s0950268813003294

Cited by 25 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…in water, one might expect an increase in cases or outbreaks associated with climate change. Studies indicate that temperature and humidity [156,157], or vapour pressure [158], may play a role in the occurrence of sporadic disease. Due to concerns about the multiplication of Legionella spp.…”

Section: Legionellamentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change and Water-Related Infectious Diseases

Nichols

Lake²,

Heaviside

2018

Atmosphere

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Background: Water-related, including waterborne, diseases remain important sources of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but particularly in developing countries. The potential for changes in disease associated with predicted anthropogenic climate changes make water-related diseases a target for prevention. Methods: We provide an overview of evidence on potential future changes in water-related disease associated with climate change. Results: A number of pathogens are likely to present risks to public health, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, leptospirosis, diarrhoeal diseases and harmful algal blooms (HABS). The risks are greatest where the climate effects drive population movements, conflict and disruption, and where drinking water supply infrastructure is poor. The quality of evidence for water-related disease has been documented. Conclusions: We highlight the need to maintain and develop timely surveillance and rapid epidemiological responses to outbreaks and emergence of new waterborne pathogens in all countries. While the main burden of waterborne diseases is in developing countries, there needs to be both technical and financial mechanisms to ensure adequate quantities of good quality water, sewage disposal and hygiene for all. This will be essential in preventing excess morbidity and mortality in areas that will suffer from substantial changes in climate in the future.Atmosphere 2018, 9, 385 2 of 60 which do not suffer the consequences of extreme events to the same extent [4]. Due to the lifetime of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and the timescales associated with ocean warming, even if global CO 2 emissions were curtailed immediately, the effects on the earth's climate, including increasing temperatures and sea level rise would continue for a number of decades before starting to plateau [2]. However, this should be seen as a general call to action to reduce emissions as soon as possible, given that the impacts are likely to extend beyond current conditions and there are indications that economic investment now will be likely to reduce costs later [5]. There is also a need to develop adaptations to cope with changes in climate. Recent research highlighting the health benefits of limiting future temperature rises to the more ambitious target of 1.5 • C rather than 2 • C, in line with the Paris agreement of 2016, further emphasises the need to limit emissions [6].Climate change affects health in a number of ways, and the impacts vary both geographically and between different populations. A growing and ageing population in much of the world means that the proportion of the population who are vulnerable to the effects of climate change will increase in the future [7]. The most direct impacts from climate change are from the effects of high temperatures, and from acute impacts relating to extreme events such as storms, floods and heatwaves. These physical or meteorological stressors can produce direct health effects, such as physical injury, illness, or mental health impacts du...

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Section: Legionellamentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change and Water-Related Infectious Diseases

Nichols

Lake²,

Heaviside

2018

Atmosphere

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“…Increased LD has been associated with climate change in Europe, e.g. Wales and the Netherlands [3][4][5]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of increased pre-seasonal LD in the USA due to climate change, i.e.…”

Section: Sirmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Lastly, we considered climate change to explain increased pre-seasonal LD in 2014 [3][4][5]. Mean monthly temperatures and precipitation totals for our area were evaluated.…”

Section: Sirmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increase in pre-seasonal community-acquired Legionnaire's disease due to increased precipitation

Cunha

Connolly

Abruzzo

2015

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

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“…Indeed, warmer domestic cold water temperatures would enhance Legionella survival and replication, and the likelihood of exposure could be exacerbated further by increased humidity which may prolong L. pneumophila survival in aerosols [65,66]. Investigations carried out in Netherlands and the UK confirm that warm and wet weather conditions can lead to a greater incidence of community-acquired LD due to changes in the rate of Legionella proliferation [67][68][69], suggesting possible increases in communityacquired LD cases in EU and in the UK, and more widely, as a result of predicted global warming.…”

Section: Future Perspectivesclimate Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers to effectiveLegionellacontrol in a changing world: a practitioner’s view

Peter

Thompson²,

Routledge

2017

Environmental Technology Reviews

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Inhalation of aerosols containing Legionella pneumophila, a water-borne bacteria commonly found in natural and manmade water systems, is the main causative agent of Legionnaires' disease (LD). Approximately 10-15% of all reported cases of LD result in fatality, with susceptibility to the disease being higher in immunosuppressed patients, men over 45 years of age, alcoholics, smokers and individuals with underlying diseases. The World Health Organisation (WHO), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and The United Kingdom (UK) Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have implemented a strict code of practice and guidelines to minimise the risk of the public from contracting LD. This paper provides a critical review of these three published guidelines. Evidence suggests that the current detection methods for Legionella, by culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), show large disparities in the detection and quantification of bacteria in water samples, raising concerns about the reliability of measures needed to safeguard public health. Moreover, a survey of 20 residential building complexes in different London boroughs highlights the need for a review of remedial action recommendations and a more inclusive risk assessment strategy that protects 'at risk' people in society.

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The relationship between meteorological variables and sporadic cases of Legionnaires' disease in residents of England and Wales

Cited by 25 publications

References 22 publications

Climate Change and Water-Related Infectious Diseases

Climate Change and Water-Related Infectious Diseases

Increase in pre-seasonal community-acquired Legionnaire's disease due to increased precipitation

Barriers to effectiveLegionellacontrol in a changing world: a practitioner’s view

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