Abstract
Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease and 1 of Pontiac fever occurred among the crew of a merchant ship operating off the shores of Australia. PCR assays identified potential sources in the ship’s cabins. Modification of maritime regulations for Legionnaires’ disease prevention in commercial vessels is needed for nonpassenger merchant ships.
Highlights
Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease and 1 of Pontiac fever occurred among the crew of a merchant ship operating off the shores of Australia
Legionella was detectable in potable water systems on 58% of 350 merchant vessels in a recent survey [9]
There was no established precedent for environmental risk assessment or control when 2 Legionnaires’ disease (LD) cases occurred on a merchant ship off the northwestern Australian Indian Ocean coast in 2015
Summary
Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease and 1 of Pontiac fever occurred among the crew of a merchant ship operating off the shores of Australia. We boarded the ship for environmental investigation on August 27, 2015, to collect samples from potential fomites around the vessel at 33 locations, including cabins and potable water outlets. We collected PCR swab samples in duplicate from inside showerheads and sink faucets ( known as mixer taps) aerators in sleeping quarters and food preparation areas, including those used by LD case-patients and their neighbors.
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