About a month ago, Transparency Market Research estimated that the global legionella testing market was valued at US$180 million in 2016. In addition, Transparency Market Research also estimated that the testing market would reach around US$398.7 million by 2025. Perhaps one of the biggest factors for future growth moving forward is that the incidence rate is increasing globally, particularly in developing regions. With this higher incidence of infectious diseases comes a steady increase in the demand for diagnostic kits and with it the global legionella testing market is expected to substantially grow. As it stands now, the incidence rate of…
A little over a month ago, we discussed a legislative attempt by State Representative Stephanie Kifowit from Oswego in regards to a proposed bill which would, “mandate prompt notification in the event of a future outbreak of an infectious disease” at every Illinois state Veterans home. It now appears as though there has been some traction on this proposed bill. As a review, the bill would require the notification within a day of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak within any Illinois veterans’ homes. The more recent news, then, is that the bill was approved by the Illinois State House’s veterans’ affairs…
Earlier last month, researchers with the National Institutes of Health reported that many hospital plumbing systems are a ‘vast’ reservoir of drug-resistant superbug germs and other bacteria like Legionella. This report came after NIH officials had done checks of the plumbing at the their flagship hospital near Washington, D.C., checks which showed drains could be packed with bacteria and ultimately concluded that this issue is likely present at other hospitals. Now the report also mentioned that the superbugs are not very common anywhere else in the hospitals and as such, they are simply unlikely to be an overall threat to…
In a previous post, we discussed the origins and very early beginnings of Legionnaires’ disease. In this post, we are hoping to slowly move through time and discuss some significant outbreaks and moments of Legionnaires’ disease history. Perhaps the first major outbreak after the 1976 Philadelphia incident would be with Stafford, England. In April 1985, approximately 175 people were admitted into the Kingsmead Stafford Hospital with pneumonia. Of these cases, around 28 individuals ended up dying with the origin of the infection being discovered to be the Stafford District Hospital. About a decade later, in March 1999, the Bovenkarspel legionellosis…
A Lisbon area hospital is now reporting an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, just a couple of months after there was a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at another Lisbon area hospital, specifically the São Francisco Xavier Hospital. This was confirmed by health officials yesterday and furthermore, that there are currently seven cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported at the CUF Descobertas Hospital. All seven patients, which include six women and one man, are reportedly in stable condition and are undergoing treatment at the moment. In order to ensure that this outbreak does not become more severe, a team of nurses are now responsible for contacting…
Last week, on January 9th, Illinois state officials gathered for a hearing on the Legionnaires’ outbreak which occurred at the Quincy, Illinois Veterans Home and has resulted in the death of 13 people since August 2015. This hearing not only discussed the causes of this outbreak and what responses were taken in its aftermath, but also reviewed next steps forward to ensure that such an incident would not happen again. As a review, the first reported case of this outbreak at the veterans home arrived in late July 2015 with a second identified case arriving just a few weeks later.…
From New York to California, populations across the United States have an increased risk of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. Health officials are increasingly concerned about the continuous uptick of Legionnaires’ disease cases, which have risen steadily since 2000. While the waterborne bacterial disease is relatively rare ― with 6,238 cases nationwideso far this year ― there has been a 13.6 percent increase in cases since this time last year. That’s nearly double the increase of 7.8 percent from 2015 to 2016 in the same time period. The disease is not contagious. It’s contracted when people breathe in water droplets contaminated…
Even the happiest place on Earth is immune from the potentially lethal bacteria called Legionella. Orange County, CA health officials isolated Cooling towers located in Disneyland as the common source that caused at least 12 cases of legionnaires’ disease over the last three weeks. Most of those who were affected were visitors of the park while at least three were resident living closely to the cooling towers in question. At least 10 individuals were hospitalized. Legionnaires’ is a severe lung infection caused by exposure to contaminated water or mist. In other cases handled by Jules Zacher, we have seen cooling…
A patient of St. Patrick Hospital recently tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Subsequent tests of the water supply at the hospital revealed its water was contaminated with the bacteria. The hospital’s remediation plans include installing medical-grade water filters on the faucets and shower heads. Not everyone who is exposed to Legionella bacteria is at risk for becoming ill. Most susceptible individuals tend to be of advanced age and/or have underlying medical conditions. The hospital is also providing patients with bottled water and keeping them up to date on remediation developments. If you believe you or someone you know has been…
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested the water supply of Lindenwood apartment complex in Queens, NYC after two residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. One diagnosis came last month, while the other was last year. A notice was issued to warn residents to take precautions, but it is not yet clear whether or not the tests performed at the building came back positive for Legionella bacteria. Both residents that fell ill have since been released from the hospital. More information is available at the link below: If you believe you or someone you know has…