Danger lurks for open-water swimmers
Open-water swimmers should be aware of this risk, according to researchers at the University of Manitoba in Canada:
Swimming in some stagnant lakes may lead to infection with Legionella, a bacteria that can cause pneumonia.
Legionella infection is an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia that is a public health risk because it can spread through exposure to natural and man-made water bodies.
The disease manifests with fever, fatigue, symptoms of respiratory distress, and sometimes diarrhea. Legionella bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water, plumbing systems, public spas, and even lakes and rivers.
