Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop H24-11, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Division of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop H24-6, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Oct 5;20(19):6885. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20196885.
, the bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease, can grow and spread in building water systems and devices. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted building water systems through reductions in water usage. growth risk factors can be mitigated through control measures, such as flushing, to address stagnation, as part of a water management program (WMP). A national lodging organization (NLO) provided WMP data, including environmental testing results for periods before and during the pandemic. The statistical analysis revealed an increased risk of water samples testing positive for during the pandemic, with the greatest increase in risk observed at the building's cold-water entry test point. Sample positivity did not vary by season, highlighting the importance of year-round control activities. The NLO's flushing requirements may have prevented an increased risk of growth during the pandemic. However, additional control measures may be needed for some facilities that experience detections. This analysis provides needed evidence for the use of flushing to mitigate the impacts of building water stagnation, as well as the value of routine testing for WMP validation. Furthermore, this report reinforces the idea that WMPs remain the optimal tool to reduce the risk of growth and spread in building water systems.
军团菌是导致军团病的细菌，它可以在建筑物的水系统和设备中生长和传播。COVID-19 大流行通过减少用水量对建筑物的水系统产生了影响。通过控制措施（如冲洗）可以减轻 生长的风险因素，以解决停滞问题，这是水管理计划（WMP）的一部分。一个全国性的住宿组织（NLO）提供了 WMP 数据，包括大流行前后的环境测试结果。统计分析显示，在大流行期间，水样本检测出 呈阳性的风险增加，在建筑物的冷水入口测试点观察到的风险增加最大。样本阳性率不因季节而异，这突出了全年进行 控制活动的重要性。NLO 的冲洗要求可能防止了大流行期间 生长风险的增加。然而，对于一些经历 检测的设施，可能需要额外的控制措施。这项分析为使用冲洗来减轻建筑物水停滞的影响提供了必要的证据，同时也证明了例行 测试对于 WMP 验证的价值。此外，本报告进一步证实了 WMP 仍然是降低建筑物水系统中 生长和传播风险的最佳工具。
