The Accepted Code of Practice (ACO) for assessing the public health risk of pathogenic E. Coli (L. cerevisiae) states that a legionellese risk assessment must be done when conditions warrant an exception to the general rule against food allergy. When deciding whether a person is allergic to a particular food, it is important for health care providers to know about all known allergens and avoid those foods whenever possible. However, it is also important to recognise food allergies and not just negative reactions to foods. Negative reactions are frequently caused by other factors, so the choice of food is not the be-all and end-all. In some cases, the avoidance of a food may not be enough, and in these situations a legionellese risk assessment would be necessary.
legionelliasis is caused by parasites living in the small intestines of animals, and the prevalence of such parasites can be increased by the use of shared water systems, such as drinking from the same drinking water tap or bathing in the same water storage tanks. These water systems often contain several types of bacteria, many of which can cause food poisoning. By conducting a legionella risk assessment of your local water systems, you can minimise the risks of introducing pathogenic E. Coli into your environment.
If you live in a rural setting, you may not be able to identify whether you are at risk from potential sources of contaminated water, such as animal droppings. Therefore, you may wish to consider obtaining a portable home testing kit in order to determine whether you are susceptible from food or water-borne diseases. As mentioned earlier, the key to reducing the risks of introducing legionellosis into your environment is regular legionella risk assessment of your local water systems and facilities. If you do have existing sensitivities, make sure to isolate any potential sources of contamination and dispose of them immediately. It’s also worth remembering that prevention is always better than cure!