City Pool Temporarily Closed as a Precaution After Two People Diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease

Earlier this year, a city in Missouri announced it was temporarily closing an indoor pool at a recreation center as a precautionary measure after receiving notification that a second person had been diagnosed with Legionnaire’s disease. City administrators took the action after learning the infected individual had been at the recreation center within the previous few weeks before their diagnosis.

Legionnaires’ disease can occur if people breathe in a mist or water droplets that have been contaminated with Legionella bacteria. There are certain groups that are more likely to become seriously ill when infected, including individuals who are 65 years of age or older, smokers, people with chronic lung disease, and individuals with a weakened immune system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Swimmers are at risk for respiratory infections if they breathe in steam or mist from a pool or hot tub that contains harmful germs.” The agency goes on to state, “… Legionella is one of the most frequent waterborne diseases (drinking water and recreational water) among humans in the United States.”

“Taking a cautious approach and shutting down a pool or spa until water tests can be completed is a good idea for any community, private or commercial aquatic center if there is a chance it could be the source of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Legionella is naturally found in water, especially warm water and a pool or spa that is not properly cleaned and disinfected can become contaminated. Fortunately, proactive testing of water sources can help prevent infections as well as help to quickly pinpoint the source of an outbreak if one has already occurred.”

EMSL Analytical, Inc., with a laboratory in Missouri and dozens more across the United States and Canada, offers traditional culturing methods and rapid PCR and DNA sequencing test methods. EMSL provides all of the sampling supplies necessary and has over 20 laboratories that have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from the agency’s ELITE Program for Legionella testing. Another five locations are NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified laboratories.

To learn more about Legionella or other aquatic or 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 is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 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