Surveillance of Legionella spp. in Water Supply of Hotels and Resorts in The North-Eastern of Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the outcomes of the surveillance program for Legionella spp. in water supply systems in hotels and resorts in the North-Eastern of Thailand in order to assess contamination of water supply as a preparedness for the ASEAN Economic Community. It was conducted from May 2012 to September 2013, beginning with the identification of hotels and resorts from Tourism Authority of Thailand website; and seeking permission from collaborating sites to collect water samples. The samples were then transported to the Regional Medical Science Center 7 for the detection of Legionella spp. using culture method. For the positive samples, species typing was performed using PCR technic. There were 200 samples collected from 75 hotels and resorts; and Legionella spp. was detected in 48 samples from 24 hotels and resorts (32.0%); and the PCR revealed the type of the organism was solely L. pneumophila. Level of Legionella spp. was less than 10⁵ cfu/L in 22 hotels/resorts. (29.3 %) and between 10⁵ cfu/L and 10⁶ cfu/L in the other two sites. All hotels and resorts with positive samples were notified with the results; and biosafety measures for the water supply system maintenance were operated based on the guideline from Department of Health. Thus, the Legionella surveillance program is a useful process to ensure that the water supply in hotels and resorts is safe for their customers, visitors and staff.