Legionnaires' Disease Archives

June 12, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Illinois Passes legislation Aimed at Protecting At-Risk Residents from Waterborne Health Risks

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed into law legislation aimed at protecting at-risk residents in Illinois from waterborne illnesses such as Legionnaires’ disease. The legislation requires water utilities to notify healthcare and senior living facilities of water supply disruptions that could lead to water quality and microbial risks, such as legionella and other waterborne pathogens. Brad Considine, the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires’ Disease Director of Strategic Initiatives said, “This legislation is a great step forward in recognizing the need for a comprehensive and proactive approach to preventing Legionnaires’ Disease.” To read more about the Illinois Passes Legislation Aimed at…

June 5, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Attorney General Reaches Agreement With Verizon Following Cooling Tower Violations

Following an investigation of Verizon that revealed 225 alleged violations of cooling tower laws meant to prevent the spread of Legionnaires’ disease, the company has come to an agreement with New York Attorney General Letitia James. The agreement requires Verizon to create policies and procedures to make sure the company complies with cooling tower laws and pay a $118,000 fine. The investigation found that Verizon had violated Legionnaires’ cooling tower laws in 30 instances across seven buildings in the Bronx. These violations were linked to a 2015 outbreak in the Bronx that caused 120…

June 2, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Confirmed Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease Jumps to 24 in Bronx Outbreak

Following the diagnosis of ten confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Highbridge section of the Bronx earlier this month, city health officials have now confirmed that the number of confirmed cases is now up to 24. So far, two people have died and four are hospitalized. Legionnaires’ Disease is a type of pneumonia that grows in warm water. The illness can be a result of plumbing systems such as cooling towers, spas, hot tubs, and hot water tanks. The Health Department began a remediation process last week for four cooling towers in Highbridge that tested positive…

May 31, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Sixth Confirmed Case of Legionnaires’ Disease in Southwest Sydney

Following the diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease in four local men in Southwest Sydney, a fifth and sixth case have been identified. So far, two women and four men between the ages of 40 and 70 have been diagnosed. They all visited locations between Elizabeth St, Clarence St, Park St, and Martin Place in the 10 days before experiencing symptoms. Thus far, all six cases have been treated in a hospital and one person has been discharged. The New South Wales Ministry of Health is continuing to advise people who have been in the Sydney CBD area in the past…

May 29, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Department of Health Links Fifth Case of Legionnaires’ Disease to Waikiki Hotel

Following three confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease from guests staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations in Waikiki in June 2021 and March 2022 and an additional fourth confirmed case in April 2022, the Hawai’i Department of Health has now reported a fifth confirmed case. Officials say the person visited the hotel on April 25 and was diagnosed on May 23. The investigation is ongoing. To read more about the Department of Health Links Fifth Case of Legionnaires’ disease to Waikiki Hotel, click here. To read our firm’s white paper on…

May 29, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Nineteen Confirmed Cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Bronx Highbridge Section

The New York City Department of Health has now reported 19 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to an outbreak in the Bronx. The first person was diagnosed on May 3. One person has died and a further 8 people are hospitalized. The Health Department has sampled the cooling towers in the area. Four cooling towers tested positive for the presence of Legionella pneumophila, a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, and were immediately ordered to disinfect. Cases of Legionnaires’ disease are on the rise in the U.S.,…

May 23, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

NYC Health Department Investigating Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Highbridge section

Following the diagnosis of ten confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Highbridge section of the Bronx with the possibility of additional cases pending test results, the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene launched an investigation Saturday into the possible cluster of the airborne disease. According to city health officials the first case was confirmed on May 9, 2022. The health department is “sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems” in the cluster area. However, they do not currently believe the outbreak is a result of plumbing systems in the buildings within the associated Zip…

May 19, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Three Confirmed Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in Parsippany Hotel

Following the diagnosis of Legionnaires’ Disease in three guests who stayed at the Hilton/Hampton Inn Parsippany Hotel last year, the New Jersey Department of Health in coordination with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Health and Human Services Department has now opened an investigation. The guests visited the hotel, located at 1 Hilton Ct. between July 2021 and October 2021. The individuals range in age from 52 to 77 and have since recovered. After the second case was identified in February 2022, the Department in coordination with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Health and Human Services Department began an outbreak investigation that instructed…

May 17, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

DOH Continues Investigation of Hawai’i Hotel after Fourth Confirmed Case

Following two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease from guests staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations in Waikiki in June 2021 and another confirmed case on March 6 or 7, 2022, the Hawai’i Department of Health has now confirmed an additional fourth case. The fourth case was diagnosed on April 26. The individual, a non-Hawai’i resident, stayed at the Grand Islander from April 16-18, 2022. “Legionnaires’ disease can potentially have severe consequences, and we encourage anyone who developed symptoms following a stay at the Grand Islander to contact a physician and DOH,” said Hawai’i State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. The investigation…

May 17, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Four cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in Southwest Sydney

Following the diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease in four local men, South Western Sydney Local Health District has issued a reminder to Macarthur residents to ensure their cooling towers are being properly maintained. All four men are in their 60s and 70s and contracted the disease in the past five weeks, in Camden and Narellan. All four men are currently recovering. The Health District’s Public Health Unit, in collaboration with Camden Council is investigating the case. However, the specific source of the infections has yet to be identified. Director of Public Health Dr. Naru Pal said it was vital that cooling…