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…
Once more, it appears perhaps a prudent time to take a step back to examine Legionnaires’ disease. As such, while in a previous post we discussed some of the signs, symptoms, and diagnostic methods for identifying Legionnaires’ disease, today’s post seeks to review the history of Legionnaires’ disease. While Legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease has presumably existed for a very long time, it was only truly discovered and researched after an outbreak in 1976. At a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia, numerous attendees began to suffer from this type of pneumonia, i.e. lung infection, a phenomena which garnered…
Last year, on February 20, 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection released a proposed rule in the Pennsylvania Bulletin which called for the state’s water utilities to maintain a 0.2 mg/L chlorine residual in the water distribution system. This kind of active form of prevention should not only reduce the risk to individuals and families, but should also allow the groundwork necessary for other states across the country to pursue similar preventative actions. Indeed water distribution endpoints (i.e. all locations prior to potable water entering a residential or commercial building) are vital spots for potentially legionella bacteria formation. As…
From New York to California, populations across the United States have an increased risk of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. Health officials are increasingly concerned about the continuous uptick of Legionnaires’ disease cases, which have risen steadily since 2000. While the waterborne bacterial disease is relatively rare ― with 6,238 cases nationwideso far this year ― there has been a 13.6 percent increase in cases since this time last year. That’s nearly double the increase of 7.8 percent from 2015 to 2016 in the same time period. The disease is not contagious. It’s contracted when people breathe in water droplets contaminated…
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…
A former resident of the long-term health care facility in South Strabane Township in Washington, Pennsylvania has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. It is reported that the former resident was “in and out of a number of facilities,” and preliminary testing of the facility at 90 Humbert Lane was negative for Legionella bacteria. As a precaution, the residents, staff, and visitors to the facility are being provided bottled water and bagged ice, and shower use is restricted. The final testing results are expected to be in by the end of the week. If you believe you or someone you know has…
Two weeks ago, a resident of the St. Paul’s community tested positive for presence of Legionella antigen. The community has since tested their facilities and are awaiting results to see if their community was the source of the bacteria. Community leaders have expressed in a statement released in the Record Argus that “At this time, we are taking an abundance of caution as we investigate.” The CEO of St. Paul’s, Chris Wright, advised that the efforts being taken include enlisting the assistance of consultants and discussing as a group about where any of the community’s risks for the bacteria may…
Dr. Joseph Mollura began working full time as the medical director at the SCI Pittsburgh about four years ago. However, Dr. Mollura died on August 8, 2016 after he developed Legionnaires’ disease. His family filed a lawsuit on May 4, 2017 in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, alleging that Dr. Mollura developed Legionnaires’ disease from working at SCI Pittsburgh. The family filed suit against the state Department of Corrections and Capital Technologies, the company that was hired to provide water services to the prison. The family claims wrongful death, suggesting that the prison first detected high levels of Legionella bacteria in…
Pennsylvania appellate court has ruled that a former Nestle USA Inc. employee is entitled to workers compensation indemnity and medical benefits. Shawn Gallen was disabled due to his bout with Legionnaires’ disease, which he believes was caused by exposure to contaminated water while performing his job. Mr. Gallen was an employee of Glendale, California-based Nestle USA Inc. since 1994. He was based in the company’s Burlington, New Jersey, office, but performed most of his work in Pennsylvania doing maintenance work of beverage machines. In June 2013 he experienced flu-like symptoms. He fell into a coma at a hospital and…
Earlier this month, the Platinum Ridge Center for Rehabilitation & Healing was notified by the Allegheny County Health Department about a case of Legionnaires’ disease among an individual associated with their facility. Melissa Wade, spokeswoman for the Allegheny County Health Department, indicated that the water at Platinum Ridge has since tested positive for Legionella bacteria which causes Legionnaires’ disease. However, Wade was unable to provide when the patient associated with the facility was diagnosed with the disease. The facility has been taking precautions such as providing bottled water to it’s residents until the water supply is rid of Legionella. Platinum Ridge, located…