NSF International, a global public health organization that develops standards and tests and certifies products for the water, food, consumer goods and health sciences industries will be hosting the first ever Legionella Conference alongside the National Science Foundation. The conference, specifically entitled the Legionella Conference 2018 – Managing Legionella and Other Pathogens in Building Water Systems, will be occurring from May 9-11, 2018, in Baltimore, Maryland and represents the first time experts with various backgrounds including from academia, medicine, industry, public health and government will come together in order to discuss Legionella along with other related pathogens which can be found in water distribution systems. Specifically, the conference…
Back in June of 2017, public health officials began to learn about the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease which occurred at the Rio Hotel-Casino, an outbreak which initially involved only 2 reported cases. Now, nearly 8 months later, the Southern Nevada Health District is reporting that in fact the Rio Hotel-Casino outbreak in fact involved 7 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease with a potential of 29 additional cases being suspected. This kind of continued treatment and additional cases being revealed is, in some ways, relatively normal for a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. As Robert Cole, senior environmental health specialist for the Southern…
Last year, on February 20, 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection released a proposed rule in the Pennsylvania Bulletin which called for the state’s water utilities to maintain a 0.2 mg/L chlorine residual in the water distribution system. This kind of active form of prevention should not only reduce the risk to individuals and families, but should also allow the groundwork necessary for other states across the country to pursue similar preventative actions. Indeed water distribution endpoints (i.e. all locations prior to potable water entering a residential or commercial building) are vital spots for potentially legionella bacteria formation. As…
Five guests and one employee of the Springhill Suites Austin Round Rock hotel in Williamson County, Texas, have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The earliest cases were reported to the State Department of Health Services on September 29, 2017. The hotel has enlisted the help of a third-party firm in attempt to identify any possible source of Legionella bacteria and eliminate it from the property. The first three cases all reported being in or around the hot tub at the hotel, as well as the employee who had access to that area of the property. The hotel opted to close…
According to new information published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) stainless steel fixtures contain a protective coating that can degrade over time; this degradation encourages the growth of Legionella. It is well known in among those who study Legionnaires’ disease that water containing rust particles is an environment where Legionella can better thrive. Similarly, a stainless steel sink without the protective coating creates an environment conducive to Legionella growth. The ECDC has released a list of more suitable materials for kitchen sink manufactures that are less likely to expose individuals to a higher risk of…
James Square nursing home in Syracuse, NY, has implemented additional water restrictions after testing revealed the second building on the property was also positive for Legionella bacteria. The investigation began after two residents reportedly became ill with Legionnaires’ disease, with the first diagnosis in March of 2017, and the second on July 24, 2017. The facility consists of two buildings connected to one another by a pedestrian bridge. The first round of testing revealed Legionella bacteria in one building, while the most recent testing on August 8, 2017, also revealed Legionella bacteria in the second building. The nursing home has since…
The New York State Department of Health is currently investigating James Square as a possible source of Legionella bacteria after two cases of Legionellosis are believed to be associated with the nursing home. The nursing home’s potable water system recently tested positive for Legionella bacteria. A water restriction is now in place until additional tests are taken and remediation is performed on the facility’s water system. James Square facility was recently raided by the state Attorney General’s office after claims of poor resident care. If you believe you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this disease, Contact us to see…
CVPH in Plattsburgh, New York, has treated two patients with Legionnaires’ disease. It is not believed that the cases are related at this time, as the patients resided in different counties. Since the two diagnoses, the hospital has implemented that all patients presenting with pneumonia-like symptoms be tested for Legionnaires’ disease until August 13, 2017. The hospital has a program in place to prevent Legionella bacteria, and specifically contains a small level of chlorine in its water system as well as hyper-chlorinates its water twice a year. The water system is also tested every 90 days by a third party.…
The only common thread in the ongoing investigation of two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Kennewick, Washington is a Gold’s Gym membership. Two women in their 70s and 80s were treated in the hospital this month for their illnesses with Legionnaires’ disease, and have since been discharged and are now recovering. As the investigation is still in the early stages, the cases have not been officially linked to the Kennewick Gold’s Gym as the source, but given the commonality, the gym is being investigated as possibly being responsible for the illnesses of these woman. The gym has closed down the…
The hot tub and pool facilities at the Guest House at Graceland have been linked to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease involving 9 people so far. Jules Zacher, Esq., has been retained by one of the individuals who is believed to be associated with this outbreak. The pool facilities were closed while the Shelby County Health Department completed their investigation, but as of Wednesday, July 19, 2017, the hotel was allowed to reopen their aquatics. Test results of the water taken from the facilities since news of the suspected outbreak broke now show that Legionella bacteria would no longer be able…