Legionella Bacteria

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context: Migrants were removed from the Bibby Stockholm barge in the UK after traces of the Legionella bacteria were found among them.

More on news

• The British government found asylum-seekers on a housing barge suffering from Legionella disease.
• One resident of the barge had a sore throat while the other was coughing and complaining of breathlessness.
• Low levels of Legionella have been found in the water system.

UK Government's Policy on asylum-seeker Migrants

• The government's policy is to put the asylum-seekers on board the Bibby Stockholm barge till the verdict on asylum comes.
• It was adopted to cut the cost of putting the migrants in hotels.

What are Legionella Bacteria?

• Legionella bacteria are found in lakes and ponds.
• They can also develop tanks and other water systems.

Legionnaires' disease

• Legionella Bacteria cause an infection called Legionnaires' disease.
• When people breathe in water contaminated with the bacteria, they get infected.
• Once these bacteria reach the lungs, they cause pneumonia.

Symptoms

• Many people exposed to the bacteria don't develop symptoms.
• Those who do develop symptoms may experience cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches and diarrhoea.

Transmission

• Legionnaires' disease doesn't spread from person to person.
• Instead, the bacteria spreads through the mist, such as from air-conditioning units for large buildings.
• Adults over the age of 50 and people with weak immune systems, chronic lung disease or heavy tobacco use are most at risk.

Legionnaires' disease in India

• Even though LD has been reported from many parts of the world, only sporadic cases have been reported in India.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/uk/what-are-legionella-bacteria-know-how-they-forced-uk-govt-remove-migrants-from-bibby-stockholm-barge/articleshow/102660155.cms?from=mdr