CDC Warns Mishandling of Powdered Formula Can Lead to Serious Disease

‘Household devices that retain warm water are possible Legionella bacteria sources and might pose a health risk,’ researchers say.

Colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Janice Haney Carr/CDC/Public Domain

People should be careful when using powdered infant formula, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a new paper.

An infant contracted Legionnaires’ disease, a serious pneumonia caused by inhaling or aspiration of Legionella bacteria, researchers with the CDC, the Maryland Department of Health, and Georgetown University Hospital’s Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases said in the paper, which was published on June 18 by the CDC’s quasi-journal.