Legionella Archives

April 17, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Third Confirmed Case of Legionnaires’ Disease at Hawaii Resort

In addition to two already confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease from guests staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations in Waikiki, the Hawaii Department of Health is now investigating an additional case. The guest was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease on April 2. They stayed at the Grand Islander from March 18 to 25. The first case was diagnosed in June 2021 and the second case on March 6 or 7, 2022. Water samples collected in March indicated a potential for legionella growth within the building’s potable water system. Most healthy people exposed to the bacteria do not develop Legionnaires’ disease. However,…

April 10, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionella Bacteria found in five Illinois prisons

On March 11, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health released a joint press release announcing that Legionella bacteria had been detected in two Illinois prisons-Stateville Correctional Center and Joliet Treatment Center. However, an IDOC spokesperson has now confirmed that the actual number of prisons with confirmed Legionella in the water supply is five. Legionella was also found in Graham Correctional Center, Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center, and Stateville Northern Reception and Classification Center. Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, a potentially fatal type of pneumonia. Legionella bacteria primarily moves from water…

March 30, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Proposed New Brunswick Cooling Tower Legislation

In response to a 2019 legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Moncton where fifteen people were hospitalized, the New Brunswick government has introduced legislation to reduce the risk of legionnaires’ disease in cooling towers. This bill was introduced by Health Minister Dorothy Shephard and would require a registry and associated maintenance and testing of cooling towers. The registry is meant to help quickly locate the towers for testing in the event of future outbreaks. Public Health officials have said that regular testing and maintenance can reduce the risk of bacteria; however, to this point there was nothing requiring such work in New…

March 15, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Proposed Pennsylvania Legionnaires’ Disease Legislation

As a result of the substantial increase in Legionnaires’ disease cases in Pennsylvania, state Senators Wayne Fontana (D-42) and Joe Pittman (R-41), in a bipartisan effort, have introduced legislation SB 1125 to help curtail the spread of Legionella bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the bacteria genus Legionella. Infection occurs when an infectious dose of the bacteria enters deeply into a susceptible person’s lungs, either by inhaling contaminated aerosolized water droplets, or by aspirating water into the lungs. A Senate Democrat hearing focusing on Legionella was held on May 5, 2021, where expert panelists testified that buildings shut down during the pandemic and…

November 8, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionella Bacteria Found at Fort Sam Houston Barracks

Staff at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston (JBSA) in San Antonio, Texas, discovered Legionella bacteria during routine water testing. More than 80 residents and staff at Liberty Barracks are being relocated to other barracks and dorms across the base. There are no reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease so far. The relocated service members are from the Brooke Army Medical Center’s Soldier Recovery Unit. This unit includes the Behavioral Health Clinic. The building will be treated and retested after 72 hours. JBSA’s early discovery of the bacteria, before any reported cases, highlights the importance of routine testing for Legionella bacteria. To read more about…

October 30, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

High Levels of Legionella Found Aboard Washington State Ferries Fleet

Several ferries operated by Washington State Ferries (WSF) have tested positive for high levels of Legionella bacteria. WSF discovered the bacteria after conducting water tests in the galleys and water fountains. Due to shutdowns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, water aboard the ships remained stagnant for over a year. Water stagnation may lead to bacteria growth, including Legionella. WSF’s discovery highlights the importance of businesses being proactive in their efforts to protect the public from Legionnaires’ disease. WSF, as well as other business, can flush out the affected water systems and treat them with disinfectants that will kill the Legionella bacteria and protect passengers…

October 29, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Washington County, Oregon

Public health officials in Washington County, Oregon, are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases that has left four people hospitalized. In total, there are six confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the county. Washington County has seen fourteen cases so far this year, and public health officials are speculating that the county may exceed its record number of nineteen cases in 2019. The Washington County Public Health Department, along with the Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are collecting samples and performing testing of potential sources of the outbreak. Public health officials are encouraging residents…

August 26, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

The New York City Health Department Is Investigating An Outbreak Of Legionnaires’ Disease In Central Harlem

The New York City Health Department is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires disease in Central Harlem. Since August 9, 2021, 9 individuals have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. All of the sick individuals are currently hospitalized. The Health Commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi, urges any individual that resides in the affected area to visit their doctor if they begin experiencing any flu-like symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, chills, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and coughing. The cases thus far come from the zip codes 10037 and 10039. The Health Department is investigating all of the cooling…

August 25, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

84 Individuals Are Sick After Being Exposed to Legionella At Duke University’s Basketball Fantasy Camp

84 Attendees of Duke University’s “The K Academy” are reporting symptoms such as fever, muscle fatigue, nausea, and respiratory distress after being exposed to Legionella on Duke’s campus. The individuals were attending a weeklong basketball fantasy camp from August 11th through August 15th. At this camp the attendees met and were coached by the famous Mike Krzyzewski. The camp was open to adults over the age of 35. The University is working with federal, state, and local public health officials to identify the source of exposure. It is believed they were exposed in the training room during the camp activities.…

August 24, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

The CDC Released Recommended Best Practices for the Disinfection of Hot Tubs that Contain Legionella

The CDC recently published recommendations for the best practices of disinfecting a hot tub that contains Legionella. It is vitally important that hot tubs are properly disinfected when Legionella is found. Hot tubs are a well-documented source of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease. As the water heats up, some of the water particles are aerosolized. These are then inhaled by those in and around the hot tub. If these particles contain Legionella, there is a chance that the individual who inhaled it could get very sick. The first step in the disinfection process is to close the hot tub immediately.…