Residents living at the Latimer Gardens, a Flushing NYCHA Complex were warned that Legionella, the bacteria causing Legionnaires’ disease may be on the property. This notice from the New York Health Department comes after two residents, including one who remains hospitalized, contracted the disease over a 12-month period, according to officials. The notifications to residents indicated that testing was being done on the water distribution system that supplies residents with their bathing and drinking water. While you normally cannot contract legionnaires’ disease from drinking contaminated water, showering with contaminated water often leads the water to aerolize. The fine mist containing…
In Kennewick, Washington, three club members of Gold’s Gym contracted legionnaires’ disease with just a few days of one another. Benton-Franklin Health District was able to identify the gym as the common link among the three victims who were infected. After conducting testing on the property, Health officials were able to determine that hot tub located on the premises contained legionella bacteria. Hot tubs are a perfect breeding ground for legionella bacteria due to the fact that hot tubs are a heated closed water system. Further, the jets of a hot tub cause bubbles in the water which allows…
The LA Fitness club located at 12700 South Orange Blossom Trail in Orange County, Florida is one of two LA Fitness clubs in the area that have been under investigation after members contracted Legionnaires’ disease. A few of the water samples taken by the Florida Department of Health from the Blossom Trail facility have now come back positive for Legionella bacteria. This LA Fitness, as well as another location in Metro West have been under investigation since May of this year after a total of four cases of Legionnaires’ disease were found among members. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of…
Positive findings of Legionella bacteria were found throughout the water system in the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The investigation came about after two guests contracted Legionnaires ’ disease following their stay at the Rio Hotel in March and April. Test results conducted by The Southern Nevada Health District following the second reported case of the disease showed the presence of the bacteria. The company is now taking action to remediate the problem and disinfect the water. Guests are being alerted and are being relocated while remediation is taking place. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia…
Two adults who used a community pool and spa in Foothill Ranch, California were hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease over the past two months. The pool and spa were closed on May 12, 2017, and Orange County Health Officials have reported that water testing results are pending to determine whether or not the community pool/spa was the source of the Legionella bacteria that caused these two individuals to become ill. The Orange County Health Care Agency said in a letter on May 12, 2017, that legionellosis occurs when people breathe in mist or vapor that has been contaminated with the Legionella…
Samples taken from the water system at Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, New York tested positive for low levels of Legionella on May 8, 2017. The Legionella was found in the Pratt building, which is the oldest part of the hospital. It is believed that the infrequently used faucets, old pipes, and recent construction in this part of the facility may be the cause of the contaminated water. Spokeswoman Krista A. Kittle has stated that the facility has since replaced the valves and begun to flush the water lines daily. Legionella bacteria can cause respiratory illnesses such as Legionellosis and…
Researchers at CalTech , The Washington University School of Medicine, and the University of Florida have successfully modeled the ‘Type Four Secretion’ system unique to legionella bacteria. Previously, other scientists have not been able to accurately model this mechanism as the bacteria are only about 40 nanometers in diameter. This process, referred to as the ‘Toxin Gun’ by some, is responsible for the bacteria’s noted resistance to some antibiotics. The ‘Toxin Gun’ secretes thousands of toxic molecules that infect and significantly weaken cells, overloading the body’s immune response. The ‘Toxin Gun’ also shoots out material that is coded with antibiotic resistance genes, thereby allowing more…
A man in his 50s has died from Legionnaires’ disease that he contracted while using a hot spring in Mihara, Hiroshima. He is thought to have visited the facility in early March and was hospitalized with pneumonia like symptoms including shortness of breath and fever shortly after. In addition to the deceased man, 39 people who have all visited the “Miharashi Onsen” hot spring have also been experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms. Of the 39 people, in ages ranging from 30-80, 37 have been hospitalized with two in serious condition. Legionella pneumophila has been detected in all of the people complaining of…
Pennsylvania appellate court has ruled that a former Nestle USA Inc. employee is entitled to workers compensation indemnity and medical benefits. Shawn Gallen was disabled due to his bout with Legionnaires’ disease, which he believes was caused by exposure to contaminated water while performing his job. Mr. Gallen was an employee of Glendale, California-based Nestle USA Inc. since 1994. He was based in the company’s Burlington, New Jersey, office, but performed most of his work in Pennsylvania doing maintenance work of beverage machines. In June 2013 he experienced flu-like symptoms. He fell into a coma at a hospital and…
53-year-old New Zealand resident, Susan Dromgool, slipped into a two-week coma after contracting Legionnaires’ disease in December 2016. She had been using potting soil to plant succulents and believed she had taken the appropriate safety measures since she wore gloves and used the potting mix in a well-ventilated area. However, the evening after planting the succulents, she began to experience chills and her symptoms progressively got worse. She was admitted to the hospital and put in an induced coma. She woke up approximately two weeks later with no memory of the events surrounding her illness. Ms. Dromgool gradually recovered and…