Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Sickens at Least 11 in Florida

Florida’s News Channel 8 recently reported 11 people from a master planned community in Sarasota County came down with Legionnaires’ disease. According to the station, the Sarasota County Health Department advised local officials to close down the community’s pool and spa as they could be the source of the bacteria that cause the disease.

“Closing down the community’s pool and spa until water tests could be completed is a good idea as anyone can get Legionnaires’ disease when they breathe in a mist or water droplets that have been contaminated with Legionella bacteria,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Certain groups, including individuals who are 65 years of age or older, smokers, people with chronic lung disease, and individuals with a weakened immune system are more likely to become seriously ill when infected. Master planned communities in places like Florida tend to attract large numbers of seniors that could be especially vulnerable to these types of outbreaks. This is why proactive testing of water sources and disinfection procedures of pools and spas can be so instrumental in helping to prevent this disease. Testing for Legionella is also crucial to pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.”

With laboratories throughout Florida and the United States, EMSL Analytical, Inc. offers traditional culturing methods and advanced PCR and DNA sequencing test methods. EMSL provides all of the sampling supplies necessary and has twenty laboratories that have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from the agency’s Elite Program for Legionella testing. In addition, five locations are NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified laboratories. The testing experts have also sponsored an educational video about Legionnaires’ disease and hot tubs that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/lBfPbvY3veo.

To learn more about Legionella or other microbial testing services, please visit www.LegionellaTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, email  info@EMSL.com  or call (800) 220-3675.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 43 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail