Following a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Palm Springs, the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health recently announced it was opening an investigation. The outbreak includes at least 20 cases, 14 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths that occurred between last fall and early this year. “Legionella can be spread to humans if they inhale contaminated water droplets or mist, causing some vulnerable individuals to come down with Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. He recommended that routine environmental sampling for Legionella is also an effective way to validate the efficacy of a water management program. As part of the investigation, the Health Department closed several pools and spas in the Palm Springs area so they could be tested for Legionella. The investigation is ongoing. To read more about the Riverside County Public Health Investigating Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak, click here. To read our firm’s white paper on Legionnaires’ disease and COVID-19, click here. For more information on Legionnaires’ disease, check out the National Academies of Sciences Management of Legionella in Water Systems Report here. Contact Jules Zacher for a 100% free consultation today. THE MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY JULES ZACHER, P.C. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE NOT LEGAL ADVICE OR A SUBSTITUTE FOR LEGAL COUNSEL.