Most people are not aware hot tubs can harbor legionella bacteria. Legionella is the bacteria responsible for causing Legionnaires disease, a serious form of pneumonia. Several outbreaks and individual cases of Legionnaires disease have been identified worldwide.

This link is to a new page created on the CDC website to help educate the general public about the risks of Legionnaires disease from hot tubs. Although the HIGHEST risk groups for contracting Legionnaires disease are outlined in the information, legionella can affect all age groups and healthy people.

The CDC also offers tips to help people identify high risk poorly maintained hot tubs.