175
221 cases of pneumonia in a convention of legionaries in the year of 1976
in Philadelphia when celebrating the bicentennial of the United States of
America. This event gave the name to the bacteria
Legionella
pneumophila
in honor of the 34 victims who died of Legionnaires contaminationwith this
bacteria, previously unknown, at that hotel in Philadelphia. Similar studies
in other countries like Spain concluded that some deaths were associated
with the same bacteria. Legionaries acquired legionellosis via inhalation
in a hotel in the city of Philadelphia and developed a lethal bacterial
pneumonia. The bacteria attacks the respiratory system or pneumos.
During the investigation, after ruling out of terrorist attacks from enemies,
the CDC (Center for Disease Control in Atlanta) determined, six months
later, that the origin of the pandemic had been a pathogenic bacteria that
lives in the water, that after being exponential multipling in cooling towers
and cooling systems, had caused widespread invasion in all areas of the
hotel, air conditioners etc. For this reason the legionaries were infested in
virtually any space hotel.
But although this bacteria was only identified in 1976, it has existed for
millions of years in nature and is currently found naturally in rivers, lakes
and even the seawater.These types of bacteria has been identified over 40
different types or groups, not all associatedwith Legionnaires’ disease. Some
types or groups are responsible for other minor illnesses such as Pontiac
fever and even minor colds. Recently the case of the attack of the bacteria
Legionella
pneumophila
was the central theme on documentary presented
at the National Geographic TV channel within special about pandemics of
the 20th century.
Legionella
infection, as in most cases with bacterial infections, does not
occur with a single exposure to bacteria, or in cases of very occasional
