Legionella Experts in Puerto Rico Support Water Management and Infection Control Programs on Cruise Ships

One of the largest cruise line operators recently issued a letter to passengers that had sailed on one of their ships after learning that two prior passengers had a Legionella diagnosis. The letter was reportedly sent out of an ‘abundance of caution’ as the two individuals were not diagnosed onboard. During the time of the two illnesses, the ship in question was based in Florida with itineraries covering the Caribbean and Bahamas.

Legionella is the name of the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. It can be found naturally in the environment and sometimes in manmade sources of warm water. On ships, these sources could include water tanks, fountains and other water features, hot tubs, and even from the water coming out of a showerhead. This is just one of the reasons why verifying water disinfection procedures on cruise ships or any type of vessel is so important.

Keeping passengers safe from Legionnaires’ disease and other illnesses is crucial for the health of the cruise industry. Disease outbreaks do occasionally occur on cruise ships. These can sometimes be the result of deficiencies with water management and infection control programs.

“Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease have occurred numerous times in the past on cruise ships and other vessels,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “While most people taking a cruise or working on a commercial vessel probably don’t think about exposure hazards to the bacteria that causes the disease, anyone with a weakened or suppressed immune system is vulnerable to becoming infected if they breathe in a mist or water droplets that have been contaminated with the bacteria.”

Dedicated to safeguarding the health of cruise ship passengers and workers are the Legionella experts at Zimmetry Environmental. Their professionals offer water testing for Legionella and other pathogens, and a wide range of other infection control resources. Proactive monitoring can help to identify exposure risks to prevent illnesses and outbreaks. Testing is also instrumental for identifying the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.

To learn more about Zimmetry’s infection control, environmental, industrial hygiene, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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