Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria that typically kills one in ten people infected. If a water source is contaminated by Legionella bacteria, a person can be exposed through faucets, showers, baths, hot tubs, pools, steam rooms, humidifiers, misters, fountains, pipes, drinking water, and even cooling equipment. Hospitals, hotels, and large buildings are common locations for outbreaks. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 96% of all Legionnaires' cases are individual, or sporadic and not tied to an outbreak.

Symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, headaches, and diarrhea. Although healthy people can be at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ Disease; smokers, the elderly, those with asthma, and those with chronic lung disease or suppressed immune systems are at an even greater risk.  

Pennsylvania has a long history with Legionnaires’ Disease. In fact, the disease is named after an outbreak at the 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia which resulted in 182 cases and 29 deaths. In recent years, the number of cases involving Legionnaires’ Disease has been steadily increasing across the United States, with Pennsylvania showing some of the highest rates of infection and illness in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), case rates in Pennsylvania increased over 65% over a five-year period.  

To address this problem, I will be introducing legislation to require government agencies, public water systems, and certain building owners to maintain new minimum standards to better prevent, detect, and control cases of Legionnaires’ Disease. New Jersey recently enacted a similar law in 2024 with overwhelming bipartisan support. It is time for Pennsylvania to take the next steps in this fight against Legionnaires’ Disease.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation to protect the health and safety of our public water systems.