Windscreen water link to Legionnaires' Disease
Monday 14 June 2010 | By Colin WingfieldBack to Newsroom
The Health Protection Agency have published a report today that suggests 20% of cases of Legionnaires' Disease in England and Wales may be caused by stagnant water in vehicle washer bottles.
Warm, stagnant water provides ideal breeding conditions for the Legionalla Bacterium and the study found that people who spend a long time driving were at higher risk of infection.
The symptoms of the disease feel similar to flu, with aching muscles, headaches and dry coughs. In 10 - 15% of cases, the disease can be fatal, but the solution is simple.
Drivers of vehicles such as vans and pickup trucks should add screenwash to the water in their wash bottles. This straightforward measure has the effect of killing the bacteria
