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Businesses are being urged to change the filters in their water coolers regularly, following the discovery of the potentially deadly bacteria legionella in a cooler at Christchurch Hospital.
Test were carried out on 14 water coolers at the hospital after a patient showed signs of legionnaires disease. The filter of one of the machines was found to have significant levels of legionella bacteria. It appears the cooler had been properly maintained and the filter was not due to be replaced for several months.
The District Health Board says the bacteria in the filter was not the same as the type that affected the patient but Medical Officer of Health, Dr Mel Brieseman says it should be a warning to any business using water coolers to maintain them properly. He says small amounts of legionella occur naturally in untreated water such as that in Christchurch, but can multiply to harmful levels in the right conditions.
Legionella bacteria can be found in water and soil and is associated with legionnaires' disease and pontiac fever. It causes a chest condition similar to pneumonia and early symptoms include muscle pain, headaches, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain and coughing. Those most susceptible include smokers and people prone to lung disease.
