Rogues' Gallery

Legionnaires Disease, Pontiac Fever

Sneaks into body by hitching a ride on aerosols followed by nose exposure, then causes a pneumonia-like disease.

Found naturally in water, soil, and potting mix, and can grow in poorly maintained spas, cooling towers and other water-related infrastructure.

Life-threatening to middle-aged, older and immune-compromised people and those with respiratory risk factors.

Check that spa pools are disinfected, ask building managers how they are managing their cooling towers, take care when opening and using potting mix.