Legionella
Updates and information
San Diego State University is providing information and guidance related to Legionella to help ensure that students, faculty and staff are well informed about the current situation.
SDSU is closely monitoring the developments around this situation and will provide updates as appropriate. To help keep yourself and others safe, familiarize yourself with the information below.
Case Notification
On Feb. 13, Environmental Health & Safety notifed the SDSU community of one case of Legionella pneumonia in the community.
At this time, it is unknown where the campus community member was exposed to Legionella bacteria but in an abundance of caution, the university is closing the ENS building to perform testing. All students, faculty, staff and visitors must avoid the building until testing is completed and it is cleared for reentry.
SDSU’s Environmental Health and Safety team worked closely with the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency to investigate this case and to identify and confirm the potential source.
There have been no additional cases since Feb. 13.
Campus |
Students |
Faculty/Staff |
Total |
|
SDSU San Diego (on-campus) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
SDSU San Diego (non-residential) |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
0 |
1 |
1 |
*On-campus is defined as individuals who live on campus.
Report a potential Legionella case
About Legionella
According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Legionella are bacteria that are found naturally in freshwater sources. Legionella can grow and spread in artificial and human-made water systems, such as hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, decorative fountains, and large buildings with complex water systems. When inhaled, small water droplets or mist that contain Legionella can cause infection in people, which can result in two different illnesses: Legionnaires’ disease (a serious form of pneumonia) or Pontiac fever (a mild illness). Legionnaires’ disease is severe, and often requires hospitalization, though it can often be treated with antibiotics. Generally, Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever are not spread from person to person.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to other types of pneumonia and include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion. People over the age of 50, current and former smokers, people with chronic lung disease, and people with weakened immune systems are at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease. Pontiac fever can include symptoms of fever and muscle aches, and is a self-limiting illness for which treatment is usually not necessary.
What You Should Do
For all members of the SDSU community:
- Monitor your health and never come to campus if you are sick. If you are diagnosed with legionella, report your case to the campus by using the Health Advisories Form.
- Students: Contact your instructor with questions regarding your courses to inquire about whether the class is canceled or being moved online this week.
- Faculty: In consultation with your dean, department chair or school director, contact your students about your plans for classes, whether the classes are canceled or moved to an online modality this week.
- For questions about health and safety measures, please contact Gillian Marks, Senior Director of Environmental Health & Safety by emailing [email protected].
More information is available via the resources below:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control Legionella site
California Department of Public Health Legionella site
Frequently asked questions
A: Legionnaires disease (or Legionellosis) is a type of pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria (Legionella pneumophila, also written as L. pneumophila) that grows in warm water with a food source suspended in a sticky matrix called a biofilm.
A: Symptoms resemble other types of pneumonia and can include fever, chills, muscle aches and cough. Some people may also have headaches, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion or diarrhea.
A: The Legionella pneumophila bacteria lives in aquatic environments. SDSU contracted a specialized testing company to collect water samples in ENS at more than 60 sampling locations in both the ENS Building and the ENS Annex. Water specimens were sent to a state-certified, accredited laboratory where they are cultured to determine the presence or absence of live Legionella pneumophila.
A: In the interest of community safety and wellbeing, it is important to take ample time for testing and assessment. The initial test collection process in the ENS buildings took three days. All samples were taken immediately to a state accredited laboratory and the incubation period for the culture of samples which can take several weeks. After that time, any bacterial colonies that form are analyzed for the presence of Legionella pneumophila. Cultures were also then DNA sequenced.
A: No, Legionella pneumophila is not passed person-to-person; it is not classified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an infectious disease. The route of exposure is breathing in water vapor containing the bacteria in the immediate vicinity of that vapor (e.g. directly over a faucet).
A: No, and Legionella will not survive on dry surfaces. Legionella are bacteria that are found naturally in freshwater sources. Legionella can grow and spread in artificial and human-made water systems, such as hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, decorative fountains, and large buildings with complex water systems. People who become infected have gotten it by breathing in water vapor containing the bacteria.
A: To date, the university received one confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease in a community member. While it is not known where the community member may have encountered Legionella pneumophila, which exists at low levels in nature, out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public health and safety, SDSU temporarily closed the ENS Building and the ENS Annex. This allowed for comprehensive testing and work to provide any needed mitigation based on final test results. While this is an isolated case and Legionnaires disease is not transmitted person-to-person, do not come to campus for work, classes or activities if you are sick with any illness, and talk to your doctor or a local health department. If you test positive for Legionnaires’ disease, follow the direction of health professionals and report your case to SDSU using the Health Advisories Form. More information is on the Health Advisories website.
Last updated: August 3, 2023
