Member Event: RedCat are at the Norfolk Show

The RedCat Team will be supporting the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health at its stand at the Royal Norfolk Show

The CIEH Norfolk Branch has a stand at the show each year to raise awareness of certain issues and is part of the schools education trail

This year the theme is Water Safety; the RedCat team will be focussing on Legionella – we will be informing people about the dangers of Legionnaires disease. For the show we are aiming to demonstrate how Legionella can get in to water systems by creating a game which follows a water system. There will be questions around the board where if the player gets the question wrong they will be sprayed with water. (Think Clowns not hose pipes- please!)

But what is Legionnaire’s disease? Legionnaire’s disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia-like illness caused by Legionella species of bacteria. Although everyone is susceptible to infection, some people are at higher risk, including: – People over 45 years of age – Smokers and heavy drinkers – People suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease – Anyone with an impaired immune system -Men (!)Where does it come from? Legionella bacteria are widespread in soil and natural water systems such as rivers and ponds. However, the conditions are rarely right for people to catch the disease from these sources. Outbreaks of the illness occur from exposure to Legionella growing in purpose-built systems where water is maintained at a temperature high enough to encourage growth, e.g. cooling towers, spa pools, cold water systems and hot water systems used in all sorts of premises (work and domestic).How do people get it? People can catch Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling small droplets of water, suspended in the air, containing the bacteria. Certain conditions increase the risk from Legionella, including: – Water temperature between 20-45 °C, which is suitable for growth – Stagnant, stored or re-circulated water – A source of nutrients for the organism e.g. presence of sludge, scale or fouling – Creating and spreading breathable droplets of water (such as showers, spa pools, fountains)What are the symptoms? The symptoms are similar to those of flu, i.e. high temperature, fever and chills, cough, muscle pains and headache. In a severe case, there may also be pneumonia, and occasionally diarrhoea, as well as signs of mental confusion. Legionnaires’ disease is not known to spread from person to person.

Come along to the show and find out more! There maybe even a few stickers!!

Or if you can not get to the show contact us at www.redcat.gb.com