Uljin-gun conducts Legionella inspections at 8 public-use facilities including hot springs, care hospitals

The Uljin-gun Public Health Center in North Gyeongsang Province conducted environmental inspections for Legionella prevention at eight public-use facilities in the county over two days beginning Tuesday, targeting long-term care hospitals, hot springs, hotels and senior welfare facilities.

Legionella bacteria typically spread in summer and early autumn, thriving in warm, humid environments.

Cooling tower water, water supply systems, bathtubs and fountains in large buildings can become contaminated with Legionella, and inhalation of the bacteria can trigger mass outbreaks, making rigorous management at public-use facilities essential.

The health center has submitted water samples — collected from cooling towers, tap water systems and bathtubs at the facilities — to the North Gyeongsang Province Institute of Health and Environment for analysis.

Depending on the level of bacterial detection, facility managers at the sites will be notified and directed to carry out follow-up measures including disinfection, cleaning and re-inspection.

The health center will also share the results with the county office's public hygiene division and work jointly to strengthen ongoing inspections and oversight of accommodation and bathing facilities across the county.

Legionellosis is a Class 3 legally notifiable infectious disease caused by Legionella bacteria. Infection occurs when bacteria in contaminated water — found in cooling towers, hot-water bathtubs, building water supply systems and humidifiers — are inhaled as droplets.

Main symptoms include fever, chills, headache and cough. The disease can be treated with symptomatic care and antibiotics, but the fatality rate can rise sharply in people with chronic lung disease, smokers and those with weakened immune systems.

Uljin-gun chief Hwang I-ju urged facility managers to stay alert to the risks of Legionellosis and take proactive preventive steps. "I ask that managers carry out careful and consistent upkeep — including regular cleaning and disinfection of cooling towers, water storage tanks, tap water systems and showerheads — and keep close watch on water temperature and residual disinfectant levels," he said.