Two inmates of the Franklin Medical Center prison hospital located at 1990 Harmon Ave in Columbus, Ohio were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Administrators at the prison have indicated they are conducting environmental tests to determine the source of the Legionella bacteria responsible for these illnesses. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling Legionella bacteria either by drinking contaminated water or breathing in air that is contaminated with an aerosolized form of the bacteria, as often seen in mists from showers or spas. Not everyone who comes in contact with the bacteria becomes ill. However, those who are more likely to suffer from Legionella-related illness…
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…
Reports from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office state that an inmate at the Cook County Jail in Chicago has been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The inmate had originally been hospitalized on July 6 with symptoms resembling pneumonia, and he eventually tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. Officials say that this is an isolated incident and that none of the man’s cellmates or members of the prison staff have demonstrated symptoms. Still, they have moved the inmate to Stroger Hospital in Chicago, and facilities managers are investigating potential sources of the disease. Check our blog for updates to this story. Jules Zacher is an…