outbreak Archives

May 24, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Riverside County Public Health Investigating Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

Following a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Palm Springs, the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health recently announced it was opening an investigation. The outbreak includes at least 20 cases, 14 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths that occurred between last fall and early this year. “Legionella can be spread to humans if they inhale contaminated water droplets or mist, causing some vulnerable individuals to come down with Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. He recommended that routine environmental sampling for Legionella is also an effective way to validate the efficacy…

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…

April 17, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Third Confirmed Case of Legionnaires’ Disease at Hawaii Resort

In addition to two already confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease from guests staying at the Hilton Grand Vacations in Waikiki, the Hawaii Department of Health is now investigating an additional case. The guest was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease on April 2. They stayed at the Grand Islander from March 18 to 25. The first case was diagnosed in June 2021 and the second case on March 6 or 7, 2022. Water samples collected in March indicated a potential for legionella growth within the building’s potable water system. Most healthy people exposed to the bacteria do not develop Legionnaires’ disease. However,…

January 25, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Potential Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak at Missouri Hospital

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is investigating a potential outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease at Phelphs Hospital in Rolla, Missouri. Four cases have been identified among previously hospitalized patients. The DHSS issued a warning to healthcare providers and anyone in the public who may have been in contact with a water source at the hospital. While the DHSS is investigating the outbreak, Phelps Health is monitoring and testing its water system and providing patients with information on Legionnaire’s disease. To read more about the potential outbreak in Missouri, click here. For more information on Legionnaires’ disease, check out…

December 6, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legal Aspects of an Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease at a Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the bacteria genus Legionella. Infection occurs when an infectious dose of the bacteria enters deeply into a susceptible person’s lungs, either by inhaling contaminated aerosolized water droplets, or by aspirating water into the lungs. The outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease which this paper deals with occurred in Ocean City, Maryland. In total, there were nine confirmed cases associated with the hotel. This paper explores several lawsuits filed against the hotel. Hotel guests who contracted the disease filed suit in federal court, applying Maryland state law, and Maryland state court. The victims brought claims for negligence, punitive damages, and violation of Maryland’s consumer law. This paper…

October 29, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Washington County, Oregon

Public health officials in Washington County, Oregon, are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases that has left four people hospitalized. In total, there are six confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the county. Washington County has seen fourteen cases so far this year, and public health officials are speculating that the county may exceed its record number of nineteen cases in 2019. The Washington County Public Health Department, along with the Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are collecting samples and performing testing of potential sources of the outbreak. Public health officials are encouraging residents…

September 7, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak That Occurred In Moncton, Canada, In 2019 Has Sparked Several Lawsuits

A Legionnaires disease outbreak that occurred in Moncton, Canada, in 2019 has sparked several lawsuits. Twelve of the Sixteen individuals that were known to be infected are suing Organigram, a Moncton based cannabis grower. They allege that Organigram failed to properly test and maintain its cooling towers, which resulted in this outbreak. In 2019, this outbreak hospitalized 15 of the 16 individuals that were infected with Legionnaires’ disease. All the plaintiffs either lived, worked near, or travelled by Organigram before becoming symptomatic. The cases make three main accusations. They allege that Organigram was negligent in maintaining the cooling towers, that…

August 26, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

The New York City Health Department Is Investigating An Outbreak Of Legionnaires’ Disease In Central Harlem

The New York City Health Department is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires disease in Central Harlem. Since August 9, 2021, 9 individuals have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. All of the sick individuals are currently hospitalized. The Health Commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi, urges any individual that resides in the affected area to visit their doctor if they begin experiencing any flu-like symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, chills, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and coughing. The cases thus far come from the zip codes 10037 and 10039. The Health Department is investigating all of the cooling…

August 25, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

84 Individuals Are Sick After Being Exposed to Legionella At Duke University’s Basketball Fantasy Camp

84 Attendees of Duke University’s “The K Academy” are reporting symptoms such as fever, muscle fatigue, nausea, and respiratory distress after being exposed to Legionella on Duke’s campus. The individuals were attending a weeklong basketball fantasy camp from August 11th through August 15th. At this camp the attendees met and were coached by the famous Mike Krzyzewski. The camp was open to adults over the age of 35. The University is working with federal, state, and local public health officials to identify the source of exposure. It is believed they were exposed in the training room during the camp activities.…

August 21, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

New Jersey Department of Health Is Investigating A Possible Legionnaires Disease Outbreak

The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating a potential outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Essex County, NJ. Between July 16 and July 26, eight suspected cases were reported to the Department of Health. All of the infected individuals either reside in Essex County or have recently visited Essex County. [1] The New Jersey Health Commissioner, Judy Persichilli, urges any individual that resides in or has visited Essex County in the past two weeks to visit their doctor if they begin experiencing symptoms. Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, chills, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and coughing.…