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Dacha season: what is legionellosis and how dangerous is it?
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Gardening chores involving compost and stagnant water are very dangerous in terms of legionellosis. This is a microbial infection that penetrates the human respiratory system and can even be fatal.
The causative agent of the disease is the microbe Legionella pneumophila, which is usually present in small lakes and artificial reservoirs, or even in ordinary reservoirs with stagnant water. Infection with the microbe is possible by inhaling or swallowing microparticles affected by the bacteria. There are known cases of illness after using contaminated water for a summer shower at a summer house, after swimming in ponds.
The bacteria can be found almost anywhere where there are artificial water storage containers or irrigation systems that are not used frequently.
The best conditions for the development of microbes are temperatures from +20 to +45°C, that is, the usual summer cottage season.
People who have bad habits such as smoking or alcohol abuse, as well as those with chronic lung diseases, are most susceptible to infection.
The American health care system records about five thousand patients with legionellosis every year. Unfortunately, it is not possible to save more than a thousand patients.
In our country, such statistics are not kept. This can be explained by the lack of reagents for laboratory diagnostics. Therefore, in many cases, legionellosis is simply not identified, and the disease is mistaken for ordinary pneumonia.
By the way, ELISA and PCR tests are required to diagnose the disease.
The microbe that causes legionellosis is a “lover” of compost storage facilities and well-fertilized soils.
The bacteria can enter the body through the respiratory or digestive tract.
The main risk factor is considered to be gardening, working with soil and compost fertilizers.
Experts note that the best way to prevent the microbe from entering the body is to thoroughly wash your hands under running water using detergents after each contact with fertilizers. The use of special respiratory masks has not proven effective.
American scientific specialist Dr. Priest advises: "When starting gardening, do not ignore simple hygiene rules. Be careful when in contact with compost materials. If your immunity is weakened, or you suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, it would be wiser to refuse the risk and not use compost fertilizers or stagnant water for washing or watering."
"If you open a bag of compost, try to keep it as far away from you as possible. Do not try to smell the mass, keep it at a distance. It is imperative to wash your hands after finishing work: until then, do not touch your face with dirty hands," the doctor warns.
At the first signs of the disease - and this is a rise in temperature, headache and muscle pain, cough - you should immediately see a doctor. If the bacteria entered the body through the digestive tract, nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite may be observed.
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