[Environment Testing Results for Legionellosis in 2021]

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) in charge of comprehensive management of environmental water facilities environment testing in various multi-use facilities to prevent Legionellosis in the Republic of Korea. In 2021, environment testing were planned for 3,956 facilities nationwide, but environment testing were carried out in 2,731 facilities (75.9%). An additional 395 facilities were tested compared to the 2,336 tested in 2020. The overall environment testing rate was 75.9%, with notably high environment testing rates observed in Ulsan (107.4%) and Sejong (100%). Based on the environment testing results reported through the national infectious diseases surveillance information system, Legionella species were detected in 447 facilities (16.4%) nationwide. Among multi-use facilities, hot springs, Korean sauna, tertiary hospitals, large public baths, and general hospitals exhibited detection rates higher than the overall. KDCA will continue to collaborate with relevant ministries and professional societies to manage Legionellosis in environmental facilities, including conducting a research project with The Society of Air-conditioning and Refrigerating Engineering of Korea in 2023 with the goal of identifying strategies to prevent and systematically manage Legionellosis and developing facility-specific legionella management guidelines.