outbreak Archives

Legionella Pneumophila Bacteria. 3D illustration

February 7, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Deadly Outbreak is Being Investigated at a Vermont Nursing Home: 6 Infected, 1 Dead – What You Need to Know NOW

According to the Vermont Department of Health, an outbreak of Legionnaires disease is being investigated at the Village at Cedar Hill, part of the Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community in Windsor, Vermont. As of January 29, 2025, six cases have been confirmed, with one resulting in death. healthvermont.gov eagletimes.com Understanding Legionnaires Disease Legionnaires disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Symptoms typically appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure and include: Cough Fever Headaches Muscle aches Shortness of breath Confusion Diarrhea or nausea The disease is treatable with antibiotics, but certain groups are at higher…

February 4, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

CDC Cites 2024 Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreaks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, December 2024, was a bad month for the cruise industry. There were numerous outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease on different cruise ships. These outbreaks point out the need for strict water maintenance, e.g. draining water from hot tubs between uses, removing heating elements, and increasing cleaning and disinfection of the hot tubs, on these ships. Understanding Legionnaires’ Disease Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. The bacteria thrive in warm, stagnant water environments and are commonly transmitted through inhalation of contaminated water droplets. Symptoms include…

August 28, 2023 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaire’ disease cases in Las Vegas All Over Again

Two people who stayed at the Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino were recently diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, as was also a former guest of the Orleans Hotel and Casino, according to the Southern Nevada Health District. Earlier this year, 2 Legionnaires disease cases were reported among guests at the Orleans , prompting an investigation. According to news reports, the Orleans’ water system was remediated and tested for the presence of the legionella bacteria, showing that there was no bacteria being detected at the time. Even so, after the additional recent new case was reported at the Orleans, environmental samples tested…

August 1, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Napa County Health Officials Investigating Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

Following nine confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ Disease, Napa County health officials have announced they are opening an investigation. County officials have also identified two suspected cases and one “probable” case. All nine cases were reported to Napa County Public Health between July 11 and July 27. So far, all nine individuals have been hospitalized but there have not been any reported deaths, according to the county. The investigation is ongoing. To read more about the Napa County Health Officials Investigating Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak, click here. To read our firm’s white paper on Legionnaires’ disease and COVID-19, click here. For more…

July 18, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

NYC Department of Health Officially Closes Investigation of Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in The Bronx

Following the diagnosis of 30 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Highbridge section of the Bronx last month, the City’s Department of Health has officially closed the investigation. Four cooling towers in the Highbridge and Melrose section were found to be the source of the outbreak after they tested positive for the presence of Legionella, the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease. In total, 30 cases were identified. 28 people were hospitalized, 24 have been discharged, and 2 have died. Remediation of the four cooling towers was ordered by the City’s Department of Health in early May. To read more…

June 20, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Cooling Tower Linked to 2019 New Brunswick Outbreak Was Not Properly Maintained

Following a 2019 Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that infected 16 people, a newly released report by New Brunswick Public Health says Organigram, the company whose cooling towers were linked to the outbreak, did not regularly clean their cooling towers. The 60-page document states that the company’s facility had two new cooling towers in 2019 that didn’t have a chemical treatment system activated. Further, regular cleanings and disinfecting were not scheduled and there was no documented water safety or maintenance plan. The report further states that 16 confirmed Legionnaires’ disease cases were reported between July 15 and August 27, 2019. Of those…

June 18, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Health Department Closes Investigation of Highbridge Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

Following the diagnosis of 30 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Highbridge section of the Bronx, the Health Department has now closed their investigation due to no new cases being identified in the last four weeks. Overall, 28 people were hospitalized, with 24 having been discharged, and 2 deaths. After investigating the cooling towers in the area for Legionella bacteria, the Health Department’s Public Health Laboratory have found that the source of the outbreak was a cooling tower located at 1325 Jerome Ave, 10452. The building owner was immediately ordered to disinfect the tower and perform additional remediation. To…

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…