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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 4, 2023 03:58 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Legionnaires’ Disease Prevention |
| In 2017, there were 500 reported cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in Pennsylvania, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that actual infections may have surpassed 1,300. Legionnaires’ Disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella bacteria, which is naturally occurring in freshwater, including those which supply public water systems. Those who are at increased risk for complications with this disease include Pennsylvania’s population over 50 years of age, those who smoke or have lung disease, and those who live with cancer or are otherwise immunocompromised. Further, most cases occur as single events rather than large-scale outbreaks. In order to prevent these infections, public water systems should be tested. To address this problem, I will be introducing legislation to establish guardrails to ensure public safety and prioritize root cause solutions to ensure water is properly tested and treated before it enters homes and buildings for human use. This legislation also aims to equip consumers with the information and tools necessary to manage their risk of disease through notifications of water system disruption events that can lead to greater Legionella exposure. Please join me in introducing this legislation and join the call for broader public education efforts to raise awareness about Legionnaires’ Disease risks and symptoms so that Pennsylvania families can keep themselves safe. |
Introduced as HB2145