Legionnaires' Disease and Legionella
Legionnaires' disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. The Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, and decorative fountains that are not properly maintained. They do not seem to grow in car or window air-conditioners.
People get Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor (small droplets of water in the air) containing the bacteria.
A person diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease is not a threat to others who share office space or other areas. Legionella bacteria are not spread from one person to another person.
Legionnaires' Disease & Legionella
Learn more about Legionnaire's disease, Legionella and outbreak investigations.
Regulations & regulated facilities
Information for cooling tower owners, operators, water treatment consultants and operators of all general hospitals and residential health care facilities to comply with regulatory requirements of the New York State Sanitary Code Title: Part 4-Protection Against Legionella.
- Protection Against Legionella Regulatory Homepage
- Register a Cooling Tower & Submit Reports in New York State (NY.gov secure account).
- Cooling towers in New York City must also be registered with the City's Registry.
