Waking up to life with Legionnaires’ disease

Waking up to life with Legionnaires’ disease

One day Reg Russell woke up in the intensive care unit at Taranaki Base Hospital. His sister was sitting beside him crying.

Spring gardening involves an invisible risk that can lead to serious pneumonia. This spring, several cases of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria have been reported in Finland, with soil products being a likely source of infection. Authorities such as the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and the Finnish Food Authority are warning about this. Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural waters and soil. They are most commonly spr…