Introduction Legionella

Learning targets

Legionella is a well-known and unwelcome organism to consider in the water sector. When the bacteria appear in drinking water systems, they can cause Legionnaires' disease. What basic knowledge about Legionella should you have.

In the Introduction to Legionella course, you’ll learn that the Legionella bacteria spread through small water droplets. When inhaled, they can cause severe pneumonia. Since 2011, the number of cases in the Netherlands has steadily increased, with most infections occurring domestically, while foreign-related cases have remained fairly constant. Sources of Legionella infections can include wet cooling towers, water treatment plants, showers, hot tubs, and even moist garden soil. The risk of infection increases when water is sprayed that has been stagnant for some time and allowed to warm up.

After completing this course, you’ll know what to watch out for to mitigate the risk of Legionella in your work.

The following topics will be covered: 

• properties and infection routes
• growth and risk factors
• regulations and prevention

Upon completion of this course, you will have gained the following knowledge & skills:

• understanding the properties of the Legionella bacteria
• identifying conditions that promote Legionella growth
• recognizing the major risks and potential control measures

Program

You will dive into the microscopic world of Legionella and gain essential knowledge about the challenges surrounding this pathogen.

The following topics will be covered:

• properties of the legionella bacteria
• legionellosis: infection routes and symptoms
• factors that promote legionella growth
• legislation and regulations
• risk factors and potential control measures
• sampling and laboratory analysis
• preventive and corrective measures

Your contribution

At World Water Academy, the focus is on both knowledge and practical experience. Therefore, we expect each participant to bring their own work experiences to the course. What challenges do you encounter? And what insights can you share to help others learn from them?

Target group

The Introduction to Legionella course is designed for professionals in the water sector who want to learn more about the Legionella bacteria and the issues associated with it.

Learning together

Our group-based approach fosters an enthusiastic learning environment where you can engage in meaningful discussions about the course content as well as your work situation.

Entry level

You preferably have a technical vocational (MBO) diploma.