Water tanks in RVs may cause avoidable legionella infections
A study done by the CDC on Rvs has shown that Legionella pneumophila has been cultured from 9% of RV water tanks, 24% of RV faucets, and 20% of RVS from 3 different campsites. The size of these studies may not appear to be significant you must take into consideration the seriousness of contracting Legionella pneumonia. Legionella pneumonia acquired from an RV water tank was unprecedented.
Travelling in an RV has grown in popularity over the past 25 years. Legionella has also increased in its potential to become a serious health problem, even though it is easily avoided by simply disinfecting the holding tanks with chlorine, which is in the recommended maintenance guidelines found in the owner’s manuals. Of the 60% who had cleaned the water tanks only one had flushed it with chlorine.
Direct sunlight, hot water tanks, and warm weather on the RVs are more than likely the environments for growing Legionella. Factors that attribute to legionellosis from water sources are not always completely known and understood. Aerosolization of the bacteria while showering or bathing could be a risk factor contributing to the transmission of the pathogen.
Legionellosis is widely considered to be a preventable illness because controlling the growth of it by flushing and disinfecting water tanks will prevent cases of this disease. Programs for the effective decontamination and effective control for the prevention of growth of the pathogen should be instituted in portable water containers. In a survey of the RV users on their maintenance and cleaning of the tanks it was noted that disinfection with chlorine was rarely to never done, this inexpensive owner’s manual recommended procedure could prevent contracting disease.
