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Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria
Published on: April 2, 2013
Increased rainfall is associated with increased risk for legionellosis
L A Hicks1, C E Rose, B S Fields
1Epidemic Intelligence Service, Office of Workforce and Career Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. lauria_hicks@brown.edu
Epidemiology and Infection
|November 24, 2006
Summary
Increased rainfall is linked to a higher incidence of Legionnaires
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public health
Background:
- Legionnaires' disease (LD) is a severe respiratory infection caused by Legionella bacteria, commonly found in aquatic environments.
- The Mid-Atlantic region observed a significant increase in LD cases in 2003, concurrent with unusually high rainfall.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between monthly rainfall and the incidence of legionellosis in the Mid-Atlantic region.
- To quantify the risk of legionellosis associated with increased rainfall.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of monthly legionellosis incidence and rainfall data from January 1990 to December 2003 across five Mid-Atlantic states.
- Utilized a negative binomial model to assess the relationship between rainfall and disease incidence.
Main Results:
- A 1-cm increase in monthly rainfall was associated with a 2.6% rise in legionellosis incidence (RR 1.026).
- The significant increase in rainfall during May-September 2003 compared to 1990-2002 corresponded to a 14.6% higher risk of legionellosis (RR 1.146).
Conclusions:
- Legionellosis incidence demonstrates a positive correlation with periods of increased rainfall.
- Further research into the mechanisms of Legionella exposure and transmission during rainfall is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
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