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Busan Metropolitan City Strengthens Summer Legionellosis Prevention and Environmental Testing

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it will strengthen the management and environmental testing of water systems at public-use facilities to prevent legionellosis as the use of cooling systems, cooling towers, and other water-related facilities increases during the summer.

Legionellosis is a Class 3 notifiable infectious disease caused by Legionella bacteria. Infection can occur when a person inhales fine water droplets, or aerosols, generated from sources contaminated with the bacteria, such as cooling tower water, building water supply and hot water systems, showers, faucets, and hot tubs.

Major symptoms include fever, chills, cough, muscle pain, headache, and shortness of breath. Older adults, people with chronic lung disease, smokers, and immunocompromised individuals are at particularly high risk of developing severe illness and should exercise special caution. Person-to-person transmission generally does not occur.

According to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Infectious Disease Portal, a total of 86 cases of legionellosis were reported in Busan over the past five years, 35 of which occurred between July and October. As the risk of infection increases from summer through early fall, when the use of cooling systems and water-related facilities rises, thorough management of water supply and hot water systems and cooling towers is essential.

In preparation for major international events held in Busan this year, the city proactively conducted environmental testing for Legionella at public-use facilities, including accommodation facilities and event venues.

From April through May, the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health and Environment tested 119 environmental samples, including cooling tower water and samples from water supply and hot water systems, collected from a total of 25 locations comprising 23 accommodation facilities and two event venues. Legionella was not detected in any of the samples.

In particular, ahead of major events expected to attract large numbers of domestic and international visitors, including the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the city inspected environmental water systems at accommodation facilities and major event venues in advance to proactively manage risk factors for legionellosis.

In addition, Busan Metropolitan City is continuing environmental testing for Legionella in cooperation with its 16 districts and counties in accordance with its environmental water system inspection plan.

Testing covers cooling tower water, water supply systems, hot water systems, and other water-related facilities at public-use facilities such as medical institutions, accommodation facilities, and large buildings. Public health centers in the districts and counties collect environmental samples and request testing by the Busan Metropolitan City Institute of Health and Environment.

The city plans to complete environmental testing under each district and county’s inspection plan by the end of September. Facilities where test results exceed the applicable standards will be subject to follow-up measures, including cleaning, disinfection, and retesting.

Thorough management of water systems in buildings and public-use facilities is the most important measure for preventing legionellosis.

Facility managers should regularly clean and disinfect cooling towers, water storage tanks, water supply systems, and hot water systems, while maintaining appropriate water temperatures and disinfectant concentrations to prevent the proliferation of Legionella bacteria.

It is particularly important for high-risk groups, including older adults, people with chronic lung disease, smokers, and immunocompromised individuals, to promptly visit a medical institution for appropriate diagnosis and treatment if they develop suspected symptoms such as high fever, cough, or shortness of breath, in order to prevent progression to severe illness.

Cho Gyu-yul, Director General of the Citizen Health Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, said, “Because legionellosis can be prevented through thorough management of environmental water systems and proactive testing, we will continue to strengthen environmental testing and preventive management at public-use facilities.”

Cho added, “We ask facility managers to regularly clean and disinfect cooling towers and water supply and hot water systems, and we encourage residents to promptly visit a medical institution if they develop any suspected symptoms.”