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Vacation Rental Owners and Managers [1]

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Date: 2025-01

Provide a home for guests, not Legionella Problem Legionnaires' disease is a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by Legionella bacteria. The number of cases in the United States has been increasing recently. About 1 in 10 people who get Legionnaires' disease die from it. Nearly 1 in 7 Legionnaires’ disease patients reported staying overnight at hotels, private homes, or vacation rental properties. About half of Legionnaires’ disease patients who reported travel and staying at a vacation rental property also reported hot tub use. Legionnaires' disease can be associated with travel.

Potential exposure risks Guests can be exposed to Legionella when it grows in fixtures and devices like Hot tubs

Faucets and showerheads

Decorative fountains When people use or are near these items, they can breathe in small water droplets (mist). If those droplets contain Legionella, people can get Legionnaires' disease. Conditions in hot tubs can allow Legionella to grow.

Reducing the risk for Legionella Hot tubs Monitor and maintain adequate disinfectant levels, even when the hot tub isn't in use. Bromine: 4–8 ppm

Free chlorine: 3–10 ppm

pH: 7.2–7.8 Follow manufacturer recommendations for Cleaning or scrubbing the hot tub

Replacing the filter and water

Practicing all other maintenance activities Consider installing an automatic disinfectant system for the hot tub rather than handfeeding disinfectant. Follow any applicable laws, which may differ from CDC recommendations. Have your guests been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease? Contact your state or local public health agency. Test for Legionella in conjunction with public health before and after remediation. After initial sample collection, disinfect the hot tub and follow any guidance provided by the public health agency. Learn more about keeping hot tubs safe Faucets and showerheads Legionella can grow in and spread through faucets and showerheads if they haven't been Used regularly (e.g., a week or more)

Replaced or cleaned in a long time (e.g., visible buildup on aerators) Low disinfectant levels can also cause Legionella growth and spread in these devices. Unoccupied rooms/properties Low or irregular occupancy decreases water flow and can decrease disinfectant levels in water. If faucets or showerheads haven't been used for a week or more, flush them shortly before guests arrive. Learn more about keeping faucets and showerheads safe. Decorative fountains Operate and maintain all fountains according to manufacturer recommendations. Minimum cleaning frequency recommendations vary by fountain size. Factors that can increase the water temperature into the range favorable for Legionella growth (77–113°F) include: Exposure to warm air

Heat-generating submerged lights Additional strategies for controlling Legionella, such as adding disinfectant, may be required.



Learn more about keeping decorative fountains safe.

Growth conditions Conditions that help Legionella grow include: Inadequate levels of disinfectant (e.g., chlorine)

Presence of sediment, scale, or biofilm

Slowly moving or stagnant water

Warm water temperatures (77–113°F) Sediment and scale are a build-up of minerals in a water system and use up disinfectant. Biofilm is made up of germs and the slime they secrete. Biofilm sticks to and grows on any surface that stays wet.

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[1] Url: https://www.cdc.gov/control-legionella/php/hospitality/considerations-for-vacation-rental-owners-and-managers.html

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