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Windscreen Wiper Water Linked to Legionnaires’ disease
According to the Health Protection Agency, the wiper water used for windscreens may be the cause of Legionnaires’ disease in 20% of cases in England and Wales. They say that the stagnant, warm water is a place where Legionella bacterium can breed, which can cause pneumonia when inhaled. However, they also advise that adding screenwash can kill the bacteria and save lives. (Yay!)
This finding came after researchers discovered that professional drivers are 5 times as likely to get infected. It is fairly rare to contract Legionnaires’ disease, while most cases are sporadic and doctors can’t find a source, but it’s more likely to affect men and those who are older than 50 years. Early symptoms include aching muscles, headaches, fever, dry cough and tiredness - very similar to the flu. In 2009, 345 cases were found in England and Wales, and some of these were contracted while the patients were overseas. About 10% to 15% of patients die from the disease.
To find out why Legionnaires’ affects people that spend a long time driving more, the Health Protection Agency conducted a study of people that have been infected. They found that people who drive or travel in vans, who spend a lot of time in the car, who drive through industrial areas and who ride with the car window down often are the most at risk.
The biggest risk was discovered to be associated with not adding screenwash to the wiper water. The agency carried out a pilot study that found traces of Legionella in 1 out of 5 cars that didn’t have screenwash.
Health Protection Agency South West regional director Dr. Isabel Oliver said that people may want to use screenwash, which has agents that stop bacteria growth. Legionnaires’ disease doesn’t spread between people, but it can be found in water environments and breathed in when it’s airborne, she added.
According to the Health Protection Agency, the wiper water used for windscreens may be the cause of Legionnaires’ disease in 20% of cases in England and Wales. They say that the stagnant, warm water is a place where Legionella bacterium can breed, which can cause pneumonia when inhaled. However, they also advise that adding screenwash can kill the bacteria and save lives. (Yay!)
This finding came after researchers discovered that professional drivers are 5 times as likely to get infected. It is fairly rare to contract Legionnaires’ disease, while most cases are sporadic and doctors can’t find a source, but it’s more likely to affect men and those who are older than 50 years. Early symptoms include aching muscles, headaches, fever, dry cough and tiredness - very similar to the flu. In 2009, 345 cases were found in England and Wales, and some of these were contracted while the patients were overseas. About 10% to 15% of patients die from the disease.
To find out why Legionnaires’ affects people that spend a long time driving more, the Health Protection Agency conducted a study of people that have been infected. They found that people who drive or travel in vans, who spend a lot of time in the car, who drive through industrial areas and who ride with the car window down often are the most at risk.
The biggest risk was discovered to be associated with not adding screenwash to the wiper water. The agency carried out a pilot study that found traces of Legionella in 1 out of 5 cars that didn’t have screenwash.
Health Protection Agency South West regional director Dr. Isabel Oliver said that people may want to use screenwash, which has agents that stop bacteria growth. Legionnaires’ disease doesn’t spread between people, but it can be found in water environments and breathed in when it’s airborne, she added.