Surveillance, Prevention and Control of Legionnaires’disease in hotels, Banglamung District, Chonburi Province

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the operational situation, identify obstacles, and synthesize guidelines for the surveillance, prevention, and control of Legionnaires'disease among hotels in Banglamung District, Chonburi Province. This qualitative research utilized in-depth interviews for data collection. The key informants consisted of 17 individuals,
including hotel managers, chief engineers, and executive housekeepers from 6 hotels. These establishments participated in the "3C Clean Hotel Project" (Regional Medical Sciences Center 6 Chonburi, 2025) and the "Development of Surveillance and Control Models for Legionnaires' Disease in Tourist City Hotels" (Bureau of Environmental Health, Department of Health, 2025), all of which had reported Legionella contamination levels of 10,000 CFU/L or higher. Data were analyzed using content analysis.
The results revealed that while most hotels had assigned responsible personnel and implemented surveillance measures to some extent, compliance with Department of Health guidelines remained incomplete. Major gaps included irregular laboratory testing for Legionella, inconsistent monitoring and recording of residual chlorine and water temperature, and a lack of sustainable, continuous surveillance systems.
To improve operations, the study recommends focusing on the capacity building of key informants, including hotel managers, chief engineers, and executive housekeepers. Furthermore, it suggests establishing concrete water management and surveillance systems with structured oversight from public health officials, fostering collaborative
networks with health agencies, and enhancing awareness regarding relevant laws and standards.