The good, the bad, and the bacteria strain that could kill you.

Legionella bacterium, a potentially deadly bacteria, was found in two of 10 locations tested on the Cabrillo campus on Jan. 6. The college received a report of a positive finding for Legionella Anisa in the dental hygiene clinic and men’s showers in the gymnasium, said Cabrillo President Matt Wetstein in an email to the school’s staff.

In untreated  Legionnaires cases, where the patient had increased risk factors, (smokers, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems), the mortality rate of legionnaires disease is 40-80%. Luckily that number drops to 10% with intensive care, (and anti-biotics), says the world health organization. 

“In man-made settings, Legionella can grow if water is not properly maintained.” Said the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “These manmade water sources become a health problem when small droplets of water that contain the bacteria get into the air and people breathe them in.” 

“The species found was Legionella Anisa and not the more dangerous Legionella Pneumophila.” Said Wetstein. Legionella Pneumophila is responsible for more than 90% of all cases of Legionnaires Disease. However, life-threatening respiratory infections have been documented due to the Legionella Anisa Bacteria. 

An article from the Journal of Clinical Microbiology stated that they, “Found that L. anisa may mask water contamination by L. pneumophila, suggesting that there is a risk of L. pneumophila infection in immunocompromised patients if water is found to be contaminated with (other) Legionella species.”

To clarify, this means that there is still the risk that the more dangerous Legionella pneumophila, which is responsible for most cases of Legionnaires and death, could be present. 

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the spots affected by Legionella were allowed to be stagnant for too long resulting in the growth of the bacteria. If nothing is done, the school could be facing a massive public safety issue not to mention a press nightmare. “The College is working with a water management consultant and industrial hygienist to ensure this is managed in a safe and timely manner,” Wetstein announced to Cabrillo Staff.

“The buildings will absolutely be safe when students return to campus. In fact, Dental Hygiene students have returned using bottled water while impacted items are being disinfected.” Wetstein said, after being asked whether it would be safe for students to use the facilities where the Bacteria had been present.

“When we learned of the outbreak, we informed stakeholders and students who were impacted by the closures. So students enrolled in specific courses would have been informed of the outbreak and told to stay out while remediation took place.” Said Wetstein, in response to whether or not students, were informed of the Legionella Bacteria. “Because buildings are generally closed for widespread student and public use, there’s no need to inform the broader public or Cabrillo community.”

“We are doing further testing and remediation of the problem spots. We are flushing water systems and engaging in hyper chlorination and cleaning of spot areas to make sure we get rid of it.” Said Wetstein, assuring that, “No students or staff have been impacted. There have been no reported illnesses because we have kept the campus areas closed to students during the discovery, testing, and remediation.”