Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak on a Merchant Vessel, Indian Ocean, Australia, 2015

• Published in: Emerging infectious diseases Vol. 24; no. 7; pp. 1345 - 1348
• Main Authors: Inglis, Timothy J J, Spittle, Chantal, Carmichael, Hilary, Downes, Jaala, Chiari, Marilina, McQueen-Mason, Adrian, Merritt, Adam J, Hodge, Meredith, Murray, Ronan J, Dowse, Gary K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases 01.07.2018; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subjects: Australia - epidemiology; cruise; Disease Outbreaks; Dispatch; Drinking water; Epidemics; Health aspects; History, 21st Century; Humans; Indian Ocean; Legionellosis - genetics; Legionnaires' Disease - epidemiology; Legionnaires' Disease - history; Legionnaires' Disease - microbiology; Legionnaires' Disease - transmission; Legionnaires’ disease; Legionnaires’ Disease on Merchant Vessel; merchant ship; Middle Aged; Oceans; outbreak investigation; Pontiac fever; Prevention; Risk assessment; Seasons; Ships; Travel-Related Illness; vessel; Water utilities; Indian Ocean; Australia; Legionnaires’ disease; merchant ship; Indian Ocean; bacteria; environmental control; Legionella pneumophila; health threat assessment; fomite; occupational risk; outbreak investigation; pneumothorax; Pontiac fever; pneumonia; biofilm; vessel; cruise; deployable microbiology; reservoir; Australia; respiratory; PCR
• ISSN: 1080-6040; 1080-6059
• DOI: 10.3201/eid2407.171978

Two cases of Legionnaires' disease and 1 of Pontiac fever occurred among the crew of a merchant ship operating off the shores of Australia. PCR assays identified potential sources in the ship's cabins. Modification of maritime regulations for Legionnaires' disease prevention in commercial vessels is needed for nonpassenger merchant ships.