Prevention of Legionella Infections in Shipboard Medical Facilities: A Proposal to Include the Use POU Filters in the Preventive Plan

Abstract

Legionella is a public health concern on passenger ships and the the need to implement a Legionellosis prevention plan is even more important in on-board hospitals that are frequented by higher risk people who are more susceptible to infection. In this paper we proposed a prevention plan specific for shipboard medical facilities derived by the Italian National guidelines for Legionellosis prevention. We presented also data of efficacy and performance specifications (field evaluation), on a Legionella point-of-use filter. The point-of-use filters when they are used in synergy with the others prevention methods can play an important role, cost–benefits ratio positive, to minimize the risk of growth and spread of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens on passenger ships in case of specific conditions.

Keywords

• Legionella
• Legionellosis
• Legionella control and prevention on ships
• ship medical facilities
• point-of-use filters