Vehicle Windshield Wiper Fluid as Potential Source of Sporadic Legionnaires' Disease in Commercial Truck Drivers

Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Apr;28(4):841-843. doi: 10.3201/eid2804.210814.

Abstract

Sporadic Legionnaires' disease is frequently detected in commercial truck drivers. We report 2 sporadic cases of this disease in Barcelona, Spain, that occurred during December 2019 and September 2020. Laboratory findings were consistent with windshield wiper fluid without added screen wash as a possible source of infection for both cases.

Keywords: Barcelona; Legionella; Legionnaires’ disease; Spain; bacteria; commercial truck drivers; environmental exposure; occupational health; surveillance; vehicle; windshield wiper fluid.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Legionnaires' Disease* / diagnosis
  • Legionnaires' Disease* / epidemiology
  • Motor Vehicles*
  • Spain / epidemiology