#United States #Baltimore #Maryland #Water Quality #Legionnaires' Disease

Urgent Call for Proactive Measures Against Legionnaires' Disease in Maryland

In a pressing appeal, the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires' Disease (ALPD) is urging officials in Maryland, particularly in Baltimore, to adopt proactive measures to tackle Legionnaires' disease as a significant water quality concern. Over the past few months, the bacterium responsible for Legionnaires' disease, Legionella, has been found in multiple federal and state buildings across Baltimore, with alarming instances reported at Spring Grove Hospital in Catonsville and even a prison in Jessup. Rather than waiting to respond as issues arise, Maryland officials are encouraged to implement comprehensive policies aimed at preventing such incidents.

Dr. Hung Cheung, the founder and president of Cogency and an ALPD board member, stated, "The optimal way to safeguard the public from Legionnaires' disease is to regard it firmly as a water quality issue." He emphasizes that effective management of water—from its sources through treatment facilities to the end-users—is crucial in curbing the infiltration of the bacteria and other waterborne pathogens into homes and buildings.

Maryland is positioned to learn from New Jersey's recent legislation, which introduced a comprehensive source-to-tap approach for managing water quality to counter Legionnaires'. Effective measures include:

• - Ensuring adequate levels of disinfectants throughout the water supply system.
• - Continuous monitoring of water quality across the public drinking water distribution framework.
• - Promptly informing water consumers regarding any conditions or changes that could elevate risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• - Thorough investigations of all reported Legionnaires' cases, noting that a striking 96% of cases are often isolated instances, not linked to outbreaks.
• - Accurately identifying the sources of legionella after examining every reported case.
• - Managing building water systems in accordance with established best practices, particularly ASHRAE Standard 188.

Dr. Cheung further cautioned that especially in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States—regions housing some of the nation's oldest water systems—Maryland must adopt a more proactive stance. He pointedly stated that to genuinely decrease the prevalence of Legionnaires' disease, the focus must shift towards prevention strategies, which encompass both the water supply itself and the systems that distribute it to residential and commercial facilities.

The CDC indicates that Legionnaires' disease affects over 8,000 individuals each year in the United States, though actual numbers may be significantly higher, as many cases go unreported. In Maryland, hundreds of cases arise annually, which could be largely preventable through addressing water quality issues and enforcing source-to-tap protocols. The urgency of the matter cannot be overstated, and the public awaits decisive actions from state and local officials.

For more insights on Legionnaires' disease and the efforts by the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires' Disease, interested readers can visit their website at preventlegionnaires.org.

The challenges posed by Legionnaires' disease reflect a wider issue of public health safety concerning water quality. It serves as a reminder that vigilance and proactive measures are essential to safeguarding communities against potentially hazardous conditions.

Legionnaires' disease is more than just a public health crisis; it is a call to action for communities to ensure that comprehensive water management protocols are in place, emphasizing the need for alignment across federal, state, and local jurisdictions. The well-being of residents truly depends on the quality of the water flowing into their homes and the systems that manage it efficiently.