Steve wrote
Dear readers, I visited a client recently who had been taking down a
decaying apple tree, by digging around the roots to loosen the
rootstock when the following day the gentleman fell ill with flu type
symptoms, doctors prescribed rest but the symptoms of extreme
tiredness, an interest in nothing including food prompted more tests
which revealed legionaire's decease.
The soil was tested and was found to carry the spores. The man has
since recovered and the soil has been treated. Has anybody heard of
an event like this? Quite astounding !


Out of interest, what type of soil are we talking about? It must have been
wet?

A search came up with....
Legionnaires disease is a disease caused by the organism LEGIONELLA
PNEUMOPHILA, which is found naturally in water and soil where it is normally
harmless. But when it gets the right conditions of temperature, nutrient
supply and pH, it multiplies rapidly, and if there is aerosol formation and
a susceptible population, these are all the ingredients for an outbreak. The
term "Legionnaires disease" was first coined to describe an explosive common
source outbreak of pneumonia caused by an unknown agent afflicting persons
attending an American Legion Convention in Philadelphia in July 1976. Of 192
diagnosed cases, 20 were fatal. Examinations of lung tissue from some of the
fatal cases demonstrated the presence of a previously unknown organism which
was eventually called LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA. Although there are at least 48
species of legionellae, L. Pneumophila is by far the most important human
pathogen.

Legionnaires Disease mainly affects adults, with men being more at risk than
women. The greatest incidence of disease is in men over 40 years of age who
also smoke. Persons who are immuno-compromised or suffering from respiratory
disorders are also at higher risk. Infection is by inhalation of
contaminated water droplets.

If antibiotic therapy of the appropriate kind is not applied soon after
diagnosis, significant mortality can result.

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London