October 30, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

High Levels of Legionella Found Aboard Washington State Ferries Fleet

Several ferries operated by Washington State Ferries (WSF) have tested positive for high levels of Legionella bacteria. WSF discovered the bacteria after conducting water tests in the galleys and water fountains. Due to shutdowns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, water aboard the ships remained stagnant for over a year. Water stagnation may lead to bacteria growth, including Legionella. WSF’s discovery highlights the importance of businesses being proactive in their efforts to protect the public from Legionnaires’ disease. WSF, as well as other business, can flush out the affected water systems and treat them with disinfectants that will kill the Legionella bacteria and protect passengers…

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July 20, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

2 Members of Gold’s Gym in Kennewick, WA diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease

The only common thread in the ongoing investigation of two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Kennewick, Washington is a Gold’s Gym membership. Two women in their 70s and 80s were treated in the hospital this month for their illnesses with Legionnaires’ disease, and have since been discharged and are now recovering. As the investigation is still in the early stages, the cases have not been officially linked to the Kennewick Gold’s Gym as the source, but given the commonality, the gym is being investigated as possibly being responsible for the illnesses of these woman. The gym has closed down the…

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September 27, 2016 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Two new confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Washington state

The University of Washington Medical Center began the remediation process following the Legionnaires’ disease diagnoses of four patients treated at their facility. Two of these patients have since passed. However, while the facility believed that their efforts had eliminated the bacteria, on Monday, September 26, 2016, officials announced a fifth case of Legionnaires’ disease associated with the facility. UW Medical Center implemented the use of filters and flushed their water system with chlorine on September 19th and 20th. These efforts were believed to have abolished Legionella bacteria from the Cascade Tower, which was thought to be the cause of the outbreak. While the fifth diagnosed patient…

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September 16, 2016 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Seattle hospital battles Legionnaires’ disease

Officials at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, WA have investigated possible sources of Legionella bacteria. Three cases of Legionnaires’ disease, two of them fatal, have been associated with the hospital within the last month. Legionella has been found in ice makers and sinks in the hospital’s cardiac unit. On August 26, the hospital learned that a 30-year-old woman had contracted the disease; she has since been discharged and is recovering at home. A 50-year-old man was reported to have the disease on September 6. He died in the hospital on Thursday. This week, an autopsy linked the August 27…

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