Franklin County Public health officials said both residents of the Manor at Whitehall nursing home tested positive for Legionella bacteria during July of 2017. Another test will be administered to confirm whether the residents specifically had Legionnaires’ disease, the bacterial pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. Both residents were reported to be in their 60’s, and were hospitalized for their injuries. An inspection of the facility’s plumbing, heating and cooling systems, as well as pipes and water systems was conducted to determine if the bacteria that caused the two residents to become ill came from within the nursing home. As…
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…
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.…
Milton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, located in Northumberland, PA, went under quarantine after a resident was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The quarantine imposed will allow for employees to come and go from the facility; however, the nursing home will not be accepting new residences at this time. Legionella, the bacteria which causes Legionnaires’ disease is often more likely to be fatal in those who are smokers, people with weakened immune systems, and elderly people. If you believe you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this disease, Contact us to see what we can do to help. Jules Zacher is an…
At the same South Orlando location where two individuals contracted Legionnaires’ disease due to being exposed to the legionella bacteria, a cafe inside the LA Fitness has been ordered to cease operations. While the findings of legionella wasn’t enough to prompt officials to shut down the facility, the discovery of health violations including the presences of several live roaches at the cafe, led officials to force the cafe to close its doors. The LA Fitness was investigated in May and tests sent to the CDC came back positive for legionella in June. The LA Fitness in South Orlando was one…
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…
Legionnaires’ disease is the disease is caused by bacterium called Legionella, which is found most often in fresh water. Symptoms include pneumonia and, in some cases, the infection can be deadly. He says the infection is not spread from person to person. Instead, you get it by inhaling the bacteria that’s been aerosolized, which means ultamicroscopic particles that are suspended in air or gas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outbreaks are commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems, such as hotels and resorts, long-term care facilities, hospitals and cruise ships. 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…
The estimated 350 residents of Westminster Towers retirement community have been warned to take necessary precautions after a former resident was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, and it is not yet clear how the former resident contracted the disease. The community’s management sent a letter to residents last Wednesday that provided information about Legionnaires’ disease, including symptoms and where to seek treatment. The Florida Department of Health in Orange County took water samples from the community last Thursday, and planned to hyperchlorinate the water later that day. The test results are expected to take…
116 cooling towers in the Lenox Hill area were tested for Legionella bacteria following an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease. Out of those, 42 towers contained traces of Legionella bacteria, while 24 of those cooling towers had levels high enough to cause illness. The city has since ordered that all of the towers that tested positive be fully cleaned and disinfected. However, it has not been released where the towers that tested positive are located. These results come after seven cases and one death from Legionnaires’ disease were identified within a half-kilometer radius of the Lenox Hill neighborhood. The health department has ruled…