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Emerging Diseases . BIOL 119 Spring, 2011 Legionnaire’s Disease. American Legion Convention July, 1976. Bicentennial convention July 27, 1976-first cases Flu-like symptoms Can progress to more serious 221 cases, 34 deaths 72 non-convention but in hotel. August 1976.
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Emerging Diseases BIOL 119 Spring, 2011 Legionnaire’s Disease
American Legion ConventionJuly, 1976 Bicentennial convention July 27, 1976-first cases Flu-like symptoms Can progress to more serious 221 cases, 34 deaths 72 non-convention but in hotel
August 1976 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/01/health/01docs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
CDC Identifies pathogen McDade asked to lead team Difficult to track down causative agent Does not grow on standard medium Months of effort Identification of “new” pathogen Legionellapneumophila (Legionella micdadei)
Linked to earlier outbreaks Mystery outbreak in 1968-Pontiac, Michigan “Pontiac Fever” Retrospective analysis-also caused by Legionella Mild disease compared to LD
Legionella present in almost every body of water Prefers warm to hot water Enclosed space Enters host via mist or aerosol Or drinking water 1000s of cases Many nosocomial
L.A. NOW • Southern California -- this just in • Playboy Mansion bacteria points to Legionnaires’ disease outbreak • March 1, 2011 | 6:31am