A deadly bacteria found in drinking water systems across the country was the cause of a rise in outbreaks and deaths, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Legionella Responsible for 98 Percent of Waterborne Deaths
Legionella-associated outbreaks are the leading cause of water-related outbreaks, hospitalizations, and deaths throughout the nation, according to the CDC. Legionella, a type of bacteria that can form hazardous biofilms, is responsible for causing the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia.Between 2015 and 2020, Legionella was the bacteria “most implicated” in outbreaks associated with public water systems, causing 92 percent of such outbreaks, the CDC noted in its newest report “Surveillance of Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water.”
