An outbreak of acute fever among steam turbine condenser cleaners. 1983

J F Lauderdale, and C C Johnson

Ten of twelve men who participated in the cleaning of an electric power steam turbine condenser clogged with freshwater sponge experienced an acute febrile illness. Two similar outbreaks have been previously described, one of which has been attributed to the Legionnaires' Disease bacterium. Epidemiologic studies of this case showed a syndrome very similar to the two previously reported episodes. However, the exact etiology for this outbreak has not been identified. Environmental sampling was not initiated until after the cleaning was completed. Subsequent testing did not reveal any likely cause for the outbreak. The delayed onset of symptoms and the nature of the illness pointed to an infectious agent. In the absence of any suitable criteria for employee exposure evaluation, it is suggested that crews cleaning condensers under unusually dirty conditions, especially if eye or respiratory symptoms are reported, should be provided with respiratory protection.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007875 Legionella Gram-negative aerobic rods, isolated from surface water or thermally polluted lakes or streams. Member are pathogenic for man. Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent for LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE.
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009784 Occupational Diseases Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment. Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D011210 Power Plants Units that convert some other form of energy into electrical energy. Electric Power Plants,Hydroelectric Power Plants,Thermoelectric Power Plants,Electric Power Plant,Hydroelectric Power Plant,Plant, Electric Power,Plant, Hydroelectric Power,Plant, Power,Plant, Thermoelectric Power,Plants, Electric Power,Plants, Hydroelectric Power,Plants, Power,Plants, Thermoelectric Power,Power Plant,Power Plant, Electric,Power Plant, Hydroelectric,Power Plant, Thermoelectric,Power Plants, Electric,Power Plants, Hydroelectric,Power Plants, Thermoelectric,Thermoelectric Power Plant
D004196 Disease Outbreaks Sudden increase in the incidence of a disease. The concept includes EPIDEMICS and PANDEMICS. Outbreaks,Infectious Disease Outbreaks,Disease Outbreak,Disease Outbreak, Infectious,Disease Outbreaks, Infectious,Infectious Disease Outbreak,Outbreak, Disease,Outbreak, Infectious Disease,Outbreaks, Disease,Outbreaks, Infectious Disease
D005334 Fever An abnormal elevation of body temperature, usually as a result of a pathologic process. Pyrexia,Fevers,Pyrexias
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults

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