POLICIES &

PROCEDURES
Page:
Approved:
Subject:

TUI HOTELS / VP Operations

PREVENTING LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE

VOLUME:

05

1 of: 2 Pages

Responsible:
Copies to:

CE
GM

5 406

Index:
Date:

2000-11-01

Replaces all documents of

previous dates

POLICY:
It is the policy of TUI HOTELS to exercise every possible effort in the domestic hot water
preparation, to eliminate any possibility of legionnaires disease in the most economic and
environment friendly fashion.

INFORMATION:
The topic is very current. A Dutch consumer protection organization recently has made a list, of
hotels in which a potential risk of legionnaires disease exists. The list shall be published, if the
listed hotels do not meet the requirements, or have taken inadequate measures in reducing the
risk.
The name of the disease derives from an incident where 200 members of the American Legion,
an association of war veterans, were taken ill while attending a conference in a Philadelphia
hotel in 1976. Thirty-four persons subsequently died.
Subsequent studies show that legionnaires disease has an incubation period, or time from
infection to the first symptoms appearing, of between two and 10 days.
The symptoms are similar to flu, with headaches and aching muscles but without a runny nose
and sore throat.
After two to three days, high fever with temperatures in excess of 41 degrees Celsius will
develop, together with uncontrollable fits of shivering, difficulty in breathing and dry coughing.
The first fatal infections in Philadelphia were traced to bacteria found in a cooling tower used
for the hotels central air-conditioning system.
Apparently, the cooling tower provided the ideal environment, with water at a temperature of 37
degrees Celsius, for the legionella germs to thrive.
Studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) discovered that air supply and exhaust ducts,
humidifiers, cooling water apparatus, water heaters and other equipment often found in modern
buildings are capable of supporting and spreading the bacteria.
The slime that results from condensation in systems not cleaned regularly also helps create an
ideal breeding ground for the bacteria.
There appears to be no worries about domestic or household air-conditioners, as these have
not been tied to any outbreaks of the disease.
Legionella can multiply at temperatures below 20 degrees and above 40 degrees Celsius.
However they do not live long so there are not enough present outside this temperature range
to be a threat.
The same studies show that the disease can only be spread when the germs are borne by
finely vaporized or aerosol water.
They cannot be passed from one person to another by sneezing or physical contact.

Copyright TUI HOTELS

277182215.doc

POLICIES &
PROCEDURES
Page:
Approved:
Subject:

TUI HOTELS / VP Operations

PREVENTING LEGIONNAIRES DISEASE

VOLUME:

05

2 of: 2 Pages

Responsible:
Copies to:

5 406

CE

Index:
Date:

2000-11-01

Replaces all documents of

previous dates

GM

Whether a person who is exposed to the bacteria will contract the disease depends on several
factors, including age and general health.
Very young children and those over the age of 50 are more susceptible, as are those with a
history of respiratory ailments, chronic illness or weak lungs, diabetics, and smokers.
Those with weakened immune systems such as the HIV positive and AIDS victims as well as
organ transplant patients undergoing immunosuppressive treatment are also susceptible to the
malady.
Able-bodied younger people can come down with the disease as well, although many develop a
milder form called Pontiac fever.
Because the symptoms of legionnaires disease resemble to many other common illnesses
including influenza, a general practitioner is unlikely to diagnose it.
One consolation is that the disease resembles pneumonia and general practitioners usually
refer pneumonia patients to the hospital.
Once the disease is diagnosed, it can easily he treated with antibiotics.

Source Pirmin Schwitter/2000

Copyright TUI HOTELS

277182215.doc