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Emerging Diseases

The 1976 Legionnaire’s Disease outbreak at the American Legion Convention in Philadelphia linked 221 cases and 34 deaths to the newly identified bacterium, Legionella pneumophila. Emerging from flu-like symptoms, this disease poses severe health risks, especially in enclosed spaces. The CDC’s extensive investigation led by McDade in tracking the pathogen revealed its preference for warm water environments and its ability to thrive in biofilms. The legacy of this outbreak continues to influence public health responses and knowledge about waterborne diseases today.

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Emerging Diseases

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  1. Emerging Diseases BIOL 119 Spring, 2011 Legionnaire’s Disease

  2. American Legion ConventionJuly, 1976 Bicentennial convention July 27, 1976-first cases Flu-like symptoms Can progress to more serious 221 cases, 34 deaths 72 non-convention but in hotel

  3. August 1976 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/01/health/01docs.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

  4. CDC Identifies pathogen McDade asked to lead team Difficult to track down causative agent Does not grow on standard medium Months of effort Identification of “new” pathogen Legionellapneumophila (Legionella micdadei)

  5. Linked to earlier outbreaks Mystery outbreak in 1968-Pontiac, Michigan “Pontiac Fever” Retrospective analysis-also caused by Legionella Mild disease compared to LD

  6. Legionella present in almost every body of water Prefers warm to hot water Enclosed space Enters host via mist or aerosol Or drinking water 1000s of cases Many nosocomial

  7. L.A. NOW • Southern California -- this just in • Playboy Mansion bacteria points to Legionnaires’ disease outbreak • March 1, 2011 |  6:31am

  8. Communities of microbes that help and protect each other

  9. Biofilms

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