June 27, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Avoiding Germs in Hotel Pools and Hot Tubs

The contents of this blog are based on a recent article in the New York Times, “How to Avoid Nasty Pool Germs This Summer” written by Melinda Wenner Moyer. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about one-third of known outbreaks between 2015 and 2019 caused by germs in U.S. pools, hot tubs and water parks were traced back to hotels and motels. One theory for why resort pools and hot tubs account for such a large portion of outbreaks is that the person typically responsible for water quality maintenance is also responsible for a variety of other things…

READ MORE
June 20, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Cooling Tower Linked to 2019 New Brunswick Outbreak Was Not Properly Maintained

Following a 2019 Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that infected 16 people, a newly released report by New Brunswick Public Health says Organigram, the company whose cooling towers were linked to the outbreak, did not regularly clean their cooling towers. The 60-page document states that the company’s facility had two new cooling towers in 2019 that didn’t have a chemical treatment system activated. Further, regular cleanings and disinfecting were not scheduled and there was no documented water safety or maintenance plan. The report further states that 16 confirmed Legionnaires’ disease cases were reported between July 15 and August 27, 2019. Of those…

READ MORE
June 18, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Health Department Closes Investigation of Highbridge Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

Following the diagnosis of 30 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Highbridge section of the Bronx, the Health Department has now closed their investigation due to no new cases being identified in the last four weeks. Overall, 28 people were hospitalized, with 24 having been discharged, and 2 deaths. After investigating the cooling towers in the area for Legionella bacteria, the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory have found that the source of the outbreak was a cooling tower located at 1325 Jerome Ave, 10452. The building owner was immediately ordered to disinfect the tower and perform additional remediation. To…

READ MORE
June 13, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Availability Bias and its Relationship with Legionnaires’ Disease and Covid-19

A case study, analyzing how availability bias has affected diagnoses of Covid-19 and Legionella, was recently published and presented a case study of a 56-year-old man who was improperly diagnosed with COVID-19. The patient came in exhibiting many symptoms and diagnostics commonly associated with COIVD-19. Further, he made it known that had had come in contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19 and was deemed to have a high probability of having contracted the disease. Although his COVID-19 tests came back negative three times, due to the powerful effect of anchoring, the diagnosis of COVID-19 remained high. However, on day two…

READ MORE
June 12, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Illinois Passes legislation Aimed at Protecting At-Risk Residents from Waterborne Health Risks

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed into law legislation aimed at protecting at-risk residents in Illinois from waterborne illnesses such as Legionnaires’ disease. The legislation requires water utilities to notify healthcare and senior living facilities of water supply disruptions that could lead to water quality and microbial risks, such as legionella and other waterborne pathogens. Brad Considine, the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease Director of Strategic Initiatives said, “This legislation is a great step forward in recognizing the need for a comprehensive and proactive approach to preventing Legionnaires’ Disease.”   To read more about the Illinois Passes Legislation Aimed at…

READ MORE
June 5, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Attorney General Reaches Agreement With Verizon Following Cooling Tower Violations

            Following an investigation of Verizon that revealed 225 alleged violations of cooling tower laws meant to prevent the spread of Legionnaires’ disease, the company has come to an agreement with New York Attorney General Letitia James. The agreement requires Verizon to create policies and procedures to make sure the company complies with cooling tower laws and pay a $118,000 fine. The investigation found that Verizon had violated Legionnaires’ cooling tower laws in 30 instances across seven buildings in the Bronx. These violations were linked to a 2015 outbreak in the Bronx that caused 120…

READ MORE
June 2, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Confirmed Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease Jumps to 24 in Bronx Outbreak

            Following the diagnosis of ten confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Highbridge section of the Bronx earlier this month, city health officials have now confirmed that the number of confirmed cases is now up to 24. So far, two people have died and four are hospitalized.             Legionnaires’ Disease is a type of pneumonia that grows in warm water. The illness can be a result of plumbing systems such as cooling towers, spas, hot tubs, and hot water tanks.             The Health Department began a remediation process last week for four cooling towers in Highbridge that tested positive…

READ MORE
May 31, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Sixth Confirmed Case of Legionnaires’ Disease in Southwest Sydney

Following the diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease in four local men in Southwest Sydney, a fifth and sixth case have been identified. So far, two women and four men between the ages of 40 and 70 have been diagnosed. They all visited locations between Elizabeth St, Clarence St, Park St, and Martin Place in the 10 days before experiencing symptoms. Thus far, all six cases have been treated in a hospital and one person has been discharged.   The New South Wales Ministry of Health is continuing to advise people who have been in the Sydney CBD area in the past…

READ MORE
May 29, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Department of Health Links Fifth Case of Legionnaires’ Disease to Waikiki Hotel

           Following three confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease from guests staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations in Waikiki in June 2021 and March 2022 and an additional fourth confirmed case in April 2022, the Hawai’i Department of Health has now reported a fifth confirmed case. Officials say the person visited the hotel on April 25 and was diagnosed on May 23.            The investigation is ongoing. To read more about the Department of Health Links Fifth Case of Legionnaires’ disease to Waikiki Hotel, click here. To read our firm’s white paper on…

READ MORE
May 29, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Nineteen Confirmed Cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Bronx Highbridge Section

            The New York City Department of Health has now reported 19 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to an outbreak in the Bronx. The first person was diagnosed on May 3. One person has died and a further 8 people are hospitalized.             The Health Department has sampled the cooling towers in the area. Four cooling towers tested positive for the presence of Legionella pneumophila, a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, and were immediately ordered to disinfect.              Cases of Legionnaires’ disease are on the rise in the U.S.,…

READ MORE