Warning over composting and Legionnaires’ disease
POTTING compost could be a potential source of deadly Legionnaires’ disease, health experts warn.
It comes as nine cases of Legionaires’ disease, which is normally associated with water, were recorded in Ireland in the first eight months of the year.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the national disease watchdog, said six of the cases were recorded in the east of the country. Only three of the cases were in males with the majority – 66 per cent – in females.
The average age of the patients was 71 but they ranged in age from 48 to 83.
It compares to 2014 when there were eight cases of potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease in Ireland.
The HPSC said: ‘Legionella bacteria are found in many types of water systems.
‘They multiply in warm and stagnant water, such as can be found in air conditioning cooling towers, certain plumbing systems especially showers, spa pools, decorative fountains, sprinklers and nebulisers.
‘Legionella have also been found in potting compost, particularly in warm countries.
‘However, recently several cases associated with potting compose have been reported from Scotland.
‘A recent study in the UK found that not adding screenwash to windscreen wiper fluid was identified as a possible risk factor f or community- acquired Legionnaires’ disease.’
The disease is spread through the air from a water source.
People become infected when they breathe in tiny droplets of water which has been contaminated with Legionella bacteria.
The HPSC said the number of cases reported last year was down on 2013. Globally the disease is more common in men.
But last year was the first year since reporting of the disease began in Ireland more than a decade ago that the majority of cases did not occur in males.
Four of the cases which occurred in people aged between 37 to 85 were linked to travel abroad.
Countries of travel included the Republic of Congo, Italy, Portugal and Spain. The remaining four cases were ‘assumed to be community acquired.’