The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has issued a control order against the hotel after four cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported between October 2016 and August 17, 2017. Located in Lacy Lakeview, Texas, the hotel has reportedly performed investigations to attempt to locate the source of the bacteria since the first two cases emerged in October of 2016, and the pool was shut down in May 2017 after the third case was reported. The source has still yet to be identified. Due to growing concerns, the Health Department issued the hotel to: • Hire a qualified consultant to assist…
The New York State Department of Health is currently investigating James Square as a possible source of Legionella bacteria after two cases of Legionellosis are believed to be associated with the nursing home. The nursing home’s potable water system recently tested positive for Legionella bacteria. A water restriction is now in place until additional tests are taken and remediation is performed on the facility’s water system. James Square facility was recently raided by the state Attorney General’s office after claims of poor resident care. If you believe you or someone you know has been diagnosed with this disease, Contact us to see…
Two employees of Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX test positive for Legionella bacteria
Two employees of BAMC who work in a building adjacent to the hospital tested positive for Legionella bacteria. An investigation is being conducted to determine whether or not the building these employees work in is responsible for exposing them to Legionella bacteria. Staffers have been relocated to another facility in the meantime. No patients of the medical center have been reported at this time with any illness attributable to Legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria grows in water and causes illness after it becomes aerosolized and is inhaled into the lungs. Legionnaires’ disease is typically diagnosed when pneumonia is present in combination with…
Franklin County Public health officials said both residents of the Manor at Whitehall nursing home tested positive for Legionella bacteria during July of 2017. Another test will be administered to confirm whether the residents specifically had Legionnaires’ disease, the bacterial pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. Both residents were reported to be in their 60’s, and were hospitalized for their injuries. An inspection of the facility’s plumbing, heating and cooling systems, as well as pipes and water systems was conducted to determine if the bacteria that caused the two residents to become ill came from within the nursing home. As…
CVPH in Plattsburgh, New York, has treated two patients with Legionnaires’ disease. It is not believed that the cases are related at this time, as the patients resided in different counties. Since the two diagnoses, the hospital has implemented that all patients presenting with pneumonia-like symptoms be tested for Legionnaires’ disease until August 13, 2017. The hospital has a program in place to prevent Legionella bacteria, and specifically contains a small level of chlorine in its water system as well as hyper-chlorinates its water twice a year. The water system is also tested every 90 days by a third party.…
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…
The hot tub and pool facilities at the Guest House at Graceland have been linked to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease involving 9 people so far. Jules Zacher, Esq., has been retained by one of the individuals who is believed to be associated with this outbreak. The pool facilities were closed while the Shelby County Health Department completed their investigation, but as of Wednesday, July 19, 2017, the hotel was allowed to reopen their aquatics. Test results of the water taken from the facilities since news of the suspected outbreak broke now show that Legionella bacteria would no longer be able…
The estimated 350 residents of Westminster Towers retirement community have been warned to take necessary precautions after a former resident was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, and it is not yet clear how the former resident contracted the disease. The community’s management sent a letter to residents last Wednesday that provided information about Legionnaires’ disease, including symptoms and where to seek treatment. The Florida Department of Health in Orange County took water samples from the community last Thursday, and planned to hyperchlorinate the water later that day. The test results are expected to take…
116 cooling towers in the Lenox Hill area were tested for Legionella bacteria following an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease. Out of those, 42 towers contained traces of Legionella bacteria, while 24 of those cooling towers had levels high enough to cause illness. The city has since ordered that all of the towers that tested positive be fully cleaned and disinfected. However, it has not been released where the towers that tested positive are located. These results come after seven cases and one death from Legionnaires’ disease were identified within a half-kilometer radius of the Lenox Hill neighborhood. The health department has ruled…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report provided data that in 2015, 6,079 cases of Legionnaires’ disease occurred nationwide. Of those cases, 2,809 occurred in 20 states and New York City, and among that figure, 468 cases were possibly associated with health care facilities, while 85 of those definitely were. Of the 85 cases confirmed to be associated with health care facilities, 68 of them- or 80%- were associated with long-term care facilities, and and 15- or 18%- were associated with hospitals. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of bacterial pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. The bacteria…