Legionella Bacteria Discovered at AA Maintenance Facilities

The potentially deadly bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease has been found in the water supply of American Airlines hangars at DFW.

After an employee fell ill with Legionnaire’s disease, American Airlines officials discovered traces of the bacteria Legionella in the water supply of maintenance facilities at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Tests of the water supply in response to a worker being diagnosed with the rare disease reportedly found small levels of the bacteria that can lead to Legionnaire’s at four separate hangars at the airport.

A letter to American Airlines employees obtained by Dallas NBC affiliate KXAS revealed that testing found evidence of the bacteria in a number of shower heads, as well as some sinks and water fountains. The airline moved quickly to fit filters on showers and sinks at the facility. American is also making bottled water available for employees at the affected facilities.

“Nothing is more important than the safety and health of our employees,” American Airlines spokesperson Matt Miller told the television station. “We’re taking extra precaution and establishing additional safety procedures. Our facilities continue to be a safe place to work and we’re working with local authorities and our partners at the airport on long-term safety measures to ensure the cleanliness of the water at our maintenance hangars.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Legionnaire’s disease or Legionellosis is a serious respiratory disease caused by Legionella bacteria. Public health officials note that the bacteria can also cause a less serious infection called Pontiac fever that has symptoms similar to a mild case of the flu. The CDC says there are around 5,000 cases of the disease reported in the US each year.

The lone employee who was diagnosed with Legionnaire’s disease at DFW is said to have made a full recovery. American Airlines said that there have been no other reported cases of workers getting sick as a result of the tainted water supply.

[Photo: Star-Telegram]