Legionella illness typically occurs after exposure by which mechanism?

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Legionella illness occurs when people inhale aerosols containing the bacteria from environmental water sources. Legionella thrives in warm, stagnant water in man-made systems such as cooling towers, hot water tanks, showers, and decorative fountains. When these systems produce a fine mist or vapour, inhalation introduces the bacteria into the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia. It is not spread by eating contaminated food, touching surfaces, or from person to person. The critical exposure route is inhalation of aerosolized contaminated water.