Immediate access to the recorded webinar
Join Legionella expert, EMLab P&K’s Dr. Michael Berg, for an educational webinar on the epidemiology of Legionella and the significance of integrating real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technology as a part of your water risk management program.
Legionella is a deadly pathogen that causes severe pneumonia (Legionnaires’ disease) or flu-like illness (Pontiac fever). In 2016, over 6000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported in the United States alone. Exposure to aerosols from cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, misting systems, and potable water systems in residential buildings, hospitals and hotels have been traced as the source of several Legionella outbreaks.
Performing a Legionella risk assessment followed by routine monitoring of the bacteria is the recommended preventative approach. In this webinar, participants will gain valuable insight into:
- Legionella and its impact
- CDC review
- Detection: culture versus molecular methods
- Importance of validated methods
- Regulations and guidelines
- Suggested alert and action limits
- iQ‑Check RT-PCR: What, how and why?
- Bacterial viability differentiation
Dr. Michael Berg joined EMLab P&K in 2005 and worked as Department Manager and Technical Director before taking the position of Regional Director. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany. Dr. Berg researched plant pathology and plant genetics as postdoctoral fellow at Oklahoma State University. He also worked in fungicide research for BASF in Germany. Dr. Berg has published his work in peer reviewed journals and presented at national and international meetings. Dr. Berg also authors technical newsletters in the Environmental Reporter and speaks at workshops and meetings for IAQA and other industry organizations.
Our host, Kyle Wright, joined Bio-Rad’s Food Science Division in June 2015, covering the Southeast region. He brings with him 15 years of food safety, food manufacturing, and food and water laboratory diagnostics and management experience.