Text Box: Legionella Incidence Rates The percentage isolation rates for water samples positive for Legionella during 2002 to 2005 are shown in the graph below. The average isolation rate during 2004 was 8.8% (compared to 14.9% for the 2003). Of the positive samples for 2004, 6% had a Legionella count in excess of 1,000 CFU/mL, 56.5% had a count in the range 100 to less than 1,000 CFU/mL and 37.5% had a count below 100 CFU/mL. 97.1% of isolates were Legionella pneumophila. Text Box: Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter BioTalk for the water testing and air-conditioning industry. This newsletter is produced up to four times a year with special editions for topical or current issues. There are regular items and general information on microbiological issues. Your feedback and suggestions are most welcome. Copies of this newsletter and previous issues are available from our web site. BioTalkBiotech LaboratoriesNEWSLETTERWater/Airconditioning IndustryText Box:  Biological Testing  Reg No. 2787

Text Box: Cert No. 7176 – 10  

Text Box: Editor: Glen Pinna

Text Box: Recent Legionella Outbreaks (Source: http://members.dodo.net.au/~jamgreen/legionnaires'_disease_2004.htm)   Xątiva/Valencia, Spain December 2004. The Conselleria of health has confirmed that the area of Xątiva again registered one of the three cases of legionellosis detected the early December in the Valencian Community. The other two correspond to Requena-Utiel and to High Navy. With this they have now registered eight cases of legionellosis since the end of October, This now puts this coastal Community area as the second largest in the number of accumulated cases in the third quarter, behind l'Alcoią. Iclemar, Turkey. November 2004. A UK tour operator has been accused of sending holidaymakers to a hotel in Turkey after being warned that several guests had fallen ill with serious chest infections. It has been confirmed that at least five guests at the Grand Sarba hotel contracted Legionnaires' disease amid evidence of a cover-up by holiday company Goldtrail. Up to 20 other guest have had contracted severe chest infections and are being investigated.   Fife. Scotland. November 2004. A possible cluster of cases of Legionnaires' disease involving people who were living or working in the same area of Fife has been identified by the National Health Service. The seven people involved, including one who has died, became ill at some point over Text Box: 27

Text Box: March 2005   Issue No.

Text Box: There is an internet newsgroup for Legionella established at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/legionnaires_disease/   I would request that all experts in water treatment and concerned people go to this site, join the group and visit it to ask and answer questions posted by others. Text Box: The above graph shows the monthly Legionella isolation rates from water samples for the last three years. Further data can be obtained from our web site or contacting the Editor. Text Box: the past 14 months and lived or worked in west Fife.   Legionellosis in Australia 2003 (Source: http://www1.health.gov.au/cda/Source/CDA-index.cfm)   The figures of legionellosis cases in Australia for 2004 and enclosed in brackets, 2003. The number of cases per State or Territory were: Victoria 106 (93), Western Australia 48 (65), South Australia 65 (65), New South Wales 82 (60). Queensland 43 (39), Northern Territory 1 (3), ACT 1 (1) and Tasmania 1 (1). Text Box: Biotech Laboratories Pty Ltd Lobby Level, Administration Building, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Newdegate Street, Greenslopes Qld  4120 PO  Box 505  Indooroopilly  Qld  4068    Ph: 61 7 3847 9488     Facsimile: 61 7 3847 9890 E-mail:  general@biotechlab.com.au     Web site: http://www.biotechlab.com.au/ Text Box: A variety of micro-organisms that can cause illness have been found in water, these can be introduced into the body by drinking and inhalation, or by exposure to skin or mucous membrane. They include bacteria, protozoa, algae and viruses. This discussion will cover the description, significance, water treatment required for elimination and health significance where applicable.   Salmonella   Salmonella species should not be detected in drinking water.   These bacteria are widely distributed in the environment and are deposited into waterways via the faecal matter of native animals, livestock and improperly treated human waste discharges. It is this last category that is the major cause of water-borne Salmonella outbreaks.   Salmonella has been found in a variety of Australian waters and occasionally from reticulated water supplies. In Australia outbreaks of salmonellosis are mostly associated with the consumption of contaminated foodstuffs. This includes contaminated meat and eat products, chicken and chicken products and raw eggs. Pets such as turtles, tortoises, chicks, dogs and cats can also carry Salmonella, also domestic and feral animals such as poultry, pigs, cattle and rodents. Most of the species of that cause enteric fever are also pathogens of animals and as such, represent an important source of infection to humans. Salmonella typhi Typhoid Fever) is a human specific species.   The infective does required to cause infection differs with different species of Salmonella. The method of intake, susceptibility of the person and virulence of the particular species of  Salmonella are all important in determining the dose required to cause an infection.   Water-borne outbreaks are usually characterised by rapid onset with the majority of cases developing over a few days.   The usual incubation period from ingestion is 6-72 hours, but is usually 12-36 hours. Symptoms on the commonly encountered enteric fever include headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, fever and joint pain. Diarrhoea may persist for several days. The disease is generally self-limiting and does not require treatment, but can last between 10 and 30 days after onset.   Treatment of domestic water with chlorine is usually effective against Salmonella provided the water turbidity is low. It is recommended that if water from a river, creek, dam, spring or bore must be used, then boiling the water for 5 minutes is recommended.   Specific testing for Salmonella in drinking water is not routinely required. The presence of Escherichia coli and to a lesser extent, faecal coliforms, is regarded as a useful tool in determining the possible presence of Salmonella in a water supply. However, as with any pathogens, Salmonella may occasionally be present in the absence of faecal indicators. This can particularly occur when the source of the bacteria has come from frogs or reptiles.     The next BioTalk will deal with Shigella.   Source: Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - 6: 1996. National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia & Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand.  Foodborne Microorganisms of Public Health Significance. 5th Edition. 1997. AIFST (NSW Branch Food Microbiology Group. And US. FDA Foodborne Pathogenic Microorganisms and Natural Toxins Handbook.

Text Box: Pathogenic micro-organisms associated with water - Part 5