Prevention and Control Measures

There are no vaccines that can prevent Legionnaires’ disease.

The key to preventing Legionnaires’ disease is to reduce the risk of Legionella growth and spread. Building owners and managers can do this by maintaining building water systems and implementing controls for Legionella. This section offers information for routine maintenance of building and recreational water systems to prevent disease.

Water Management Programs

Building owners and managers can use a water management program to reduce the risk of Legionella growing and spreading.

Building water systems and devices that might grow and spread Legionella include:

• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air cooling systems for buildings or industrial processes)
• Hot tubs
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Large, complex plumbing systems

Note: Home and car air-conditioning units do not use water to cool the air, so they are not a risk for Legionella growth

Developing a Water Management Program

CDC developed a toolkit to help building owners and managers develop and implement a water management program. Creating and implementing a water management program can reduce their building’s risk of growing and spreading Legionella.

Other Resources

• Toolkit: Controlling Legionella in Common Sources of Exposure
• Monitoring Building Water
• Healthcare Facilities
• Hotel Owners and Managers
• Vacation Rental Owners and Managers
• Public Hot Tub Operators
• Working with Legionella Consultants