A preliminary report released yesterday suggests that a substantial upgrade of the Illinois Veterans Home at Quincy is the best route for resolving the Legionella issues there. This makeover, however, is estimated to cost as much as $278 million. The report describes a brand new residence with new plumbing and a well to serve as a separate water source. This report by the task forces which the governor had organized says the new facility would not only include Legionnaires’-resistant piping, but could be built to adapt to the changing needs of veterans moving forward. A final report is expected on May 1.…
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…
Earlier this month, a resident at a Veterans Home in Fresno, California tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. There were no other incidents at the facility, according to Deputy Secretary for Communication at the California Department of Veterans Affairs June Iljana, and apparently residents, staff and visitors at the Veterans home were receiving bottled water out of precaution. It is worth noting that according to Iljana, the particular resident who contracted Legionnaires’ disease lived in the residential care portion and would come and go at their own will so “could have been exposed somewhere else”. That said, in 2017, two Fresno…
The retirement community in downtown Orlando has once again tested positive for Legionella bacteria, despite recent remediation efforts. The water within the community tested positive for Legionella last month, and was subsequently flushed with chlorine. A spokesperson for the community stated that they did not perform a second chlorine flush of the system’s water because the bacteria levels were below the required levels to do so. Is it reported that the community is now working alongside a water consultant with expertise in Legionella bacteria. Exposure to Legionella bacteria can cause illnesses such as Legionnaires’ disease. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease may…
According to new information published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) stainless steel fixtures contain a protective coating that can degrade over time; this degradation encourages the growth of Legionella. It is well known in among those who study Legionnaires’ disease that water containing rust particles is an environment where Legionella can better thrive. Similarly, a stainless steel sink without the protective coating creates an environment conducive to Legionella growth. The ECDC has released a list of more suitable materials for kitchen sink manufactures that are less likely to expose individuals to a higher risk of…
James Square nursing home in Syracuse, NY, has implemented additional water restrictions after testing revealed the second building on the property was also positive for Legionella bacteria. The investigation began after two residents reportedly became ill with Legionnaires’ disease, with the first diagnosis in March of 2017, and the second on July 24, 2017. The facility consists of two buildings connected to one another by a pedestrian bridge. The first round of testing revealed Legionella bacteria in one building, while the most recent testing on August 8, 2017, also revealed Legionella bacteria in the second building. The nursing home has since…
The New York State Department of Health is currently investigating James Square as a possible source of Legionella bacteria after two cases of Legionellosis are believed to be associated with the nursing home. The nursing home’s potable water system recently tested positive for Legionella bacteria. A water restriction is now in place until additional tests are taken and remediation is performed on the facility’s water system. James Square facility was recently raided by the state Attorney General’s office after claims of poor resident care. If you believe you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this disease, Contact us to see…
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…
The Kingsway nursing home in Schenectady, New York conducted routine and mandated testing for the presence of Legionella bacteria. On November 23, 2016, the results indicated that 30 percent of the water samples were positive for non-pneumonic Legionella. The facility flushed the pipes with scalding hot water (160 degrees) to kill off the bacteria momentarily while it arranges for a long-term solution. The strain of Legionella found at the facility is not typically responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, but could possibly cause pneumonia or other illnesses. New York State regulations require that nursing homes test their potable water and report results if…
A resident of a county-run nursing home in Pennsylvania was diagnosed on October 24 with Legionnaires’ disease, and officials believe she contracted it from her residence. McKeesport Regional Care Center, where the woman lives, has taken measures to guard against the possibility of further cases. The woman was hospitalized and diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease at UPMC McKeesport. After being informed of the case, management at McKeesport RCC distributed bottled water and put the water system at the nursing home out of commission. They also sent a letter informing patients and their families about the diagnosis. Management also sampled water from…