* The Legionalla bacteria takes its name from the infamous outbreak at a convention in Philadelphia in 1976.

* Pneumonia-like, it's sometimes mistaken for other forms of pneumonia, making it hard to diagnose. Symptoms take 2 to 14 days to appear and might include high fever, chills, a cough, headaches and muscle aches. The same bacteria can also cause Pontiac fever, a milder infection with no pneumonia.

* Legionnaires' can cause death in as many as 30 percent of the 8,000 to 18,000 case nationally each year, but can be treated successfully with common antibiotics.

* The bacteria grows best in warm water and can be found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, plumbing systems and larger air conditioning systems. People get the disease by breathing in vapors or mist.

* Seniors and people with underlying medical problems are most susceptible.

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