Huntington Beach, California, January 17, 2025
Last month, the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) announced it had been notified of seven confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease amongst residents living in a community in a northwestern corner of Westminster, California. HCA also reported that investigations by the agency’s Disease Control and Epidemiology team and Environmental Health Services had begun to identify potential sources of the infections which could include cooling towers, pools, spas, or other water sources.
According to HCA:
Legionella cases reported to the HCA have steadily been increasing over the last five years, from 66 cases in 2019, to 92 in 2023. So far in 2024, 82 cases have been reported in Orange County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported marked increases in Legionella cases over the past twelve months throughout the U.S.
Legionella bacteria can be found naturally in the environment, typically in water, and in some building water systems. If people inhale contaminated water from a building water system that has not been adequately maintained, they could potentially develop Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever. Tragically, the CDC warns that Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal in up to 10% of diagnosed cases.
“In this instance, HCA is asking businesses and property owners to review their water management practices, especially those with cooling towers, hot tubs, or fountains,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Proactive water management programs to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease associated with building water systems and devices are crucial for preventing new infections. Routine environmental sampling for Legionella can be an especially effective part of these programs.”
With multiple laboratories in California, LA Testing offers laboratory services and specialized sampling supplies to detect Legionella and many other microbial pathogens from environmental samples. In fact, LA Testing's South Pasadena and Huntington Beach laboratories are both CDC ELITE laboratories for Legionella testing.
To learn more about Legionella or other testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.