Legionella Testing

Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 10, 2023

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently issued a Health Advisory after several cases of Legionnaires’ disease were confirmed in the Duluth area late last year. Two cases were connected to the same apartment complex, attracting the attention of the agency.

According to the MDH announcement:

The disease carries high morbidity or mortality and this setting is a seniors-only apartment building, which increases the concern as advanced age is a major risk factor for Legionnaires’ disease. Given that Legionnaires’ disease can mimic so many other respiratory illnesses, MDH encourages testing in patients that may be connected to this location.

Legionnaires' disease can indeed be fatal in up to 10% of diagnosed cases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is a serious type of pneumonia that can occur when people inhale water droplets or mists containing Legionella bacteria. Exposure to Legionella can also cause a less severe condition known as Pontiac fever.

“Legionella is found naturally in freshwater environments but can become a health concern if it grows and spreads in building water systems, especially one with elderly occupants,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Water management programs to detect Legionella exposure risks from manmade water systems can help to prevent illnesses, outbreaks, and fatalities. Rapid PCR test methods can be instrumental for identifying the source of the bacteria to avoid others from becoming infected if an outbreak has already occurred.”

EMSL Analytical, with laboratories across the United States and Canada, has decades of experience identifying environmental sources of Legionella. They offer traditional culturing methods, and rapid PCR and Whole Genome Sequencing methods. A number of their laboratories have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from its Elite Program for Legionella testing, and some are also NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified.

To learn more about Legionella or other microbial testing services, please visit www.LegionellaTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.