Legionnaires' disease: Here's how to protect your home from the life-threatening summer bacteria

An urgent warning has been issued over Legionnaires' disease caused by life-threatening bacteria that thrive in warm water. The heat-loving bug - Legionella - makes pools, hot tubs, shower heads and refreshing summer activities potentially dangerous.

The disease has pneumonia-like symptoms and kills one in ten infected, and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk.

Here are the health and safety guidelines to keep legionella from ruining your summer.

Meanwhile, scientists fear that some of the deadliesttick- and mosquito-borne diseases that were previously confined to warmer climates are reaching the UK. They believe climate change is rewriting the border of the spread and threatens another pandemic.

Brits are warned over life-threatening summer bacteria

A potentially fatal disease that affects all things water and kills one in ten infected will likely thrive as temperatures stay high in Britain this summer, experts warn.

Legionnaires' disease - which is spread by Legionella bacteria - can affect plumbing systems, pools, shower heads, hot tubs, decorative fountains and even air conditioners that use water.

Legionella typically favours large buildings such as hotels and office blocks and grows in the water supply, while the heat helps it reproduce.

It can also sit in showers and taps that have not been used for a few days.

Damp gardening soil is another place where it may breed.

As swimming pools and dirty air con units accumulate warm, stagnant water which gets dispersed as droplets in the air and inhaled, they are also common sources of contamination.

Dr Simon Clarke, a microbiologist at the University of Reading, said the Legionella can be found in almost 'anything'.

He added:

It’s even been found in car washer bottles filled with tap water instead of detergent windscreen washers. But the types of air con you find in cars and domestically do not use water, so aren't a problem.

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How dangerous is Legionnaires' disease

Roughly half of the 300 Brits diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease every year contracted it abroad.

The life-threatening bug has symptoms similar to pneumonia and includes a cough, difficulty breathing and chest pain.

The average death rate is about one in ten infected, but those with compromised immune systemsare at bigger risk.

According to Asthma and Lung UK, people over the age of 45,smokers and former smokers, those with a lung condition, a drug or alcohol addiction, and chronic long-term health conditionslike diabetes or kidney failure are also more likely to get infected.

Here is how to protect your home from Legionella

Experts recommend making sure that the hot water supply in your house is at a minimum of 50C and cold water - below 20C to stop the bacteria from breeding.

Regularly remove any build-up around shower heads and flush hot/warm water pipelines to prevent water from stagnating.

If you have showers or taps you have not used recently, run the water for five minutes every two weeks.

If you own a hot tub or home spa, regularly drain, clean and disinfect it.

Do the same with evaporative units at least once during hot weather, and leave them dry when not in use.

Nebulisers and humidifiers should be washed with a dishwasher liquid after each use.

As Legionella can also be found in damp gardening soils, always wear gloves and a face mask and open bagged material with care to avoid inhaling it. Wash your hands thoroughly after use and store potting mix in a cool place, out of the sun.

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Sources used:

- Mail Online: 'Urgent summer health warning over killer disease that can spread in hot tubs'

- Western Australia Department of Health: 'Minimising the risk of a Legionella infection at home'