What is Legionella?

Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, and Pontiac fever, a milder respiratory illness. It is commonly found in freshwater environments like lakes and streams. Legionella becomes a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems, such as cooling towers, hot tubs, and plumbing systems. People can get sick when they breathe in small droplets of water containing the bacteria. Prevention strategies involve maintaining water systems to minimize Legionella growth.