zacherlaw, Author at Legionnaires' Disease Lawyer

August 23, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

CDC States 100% Of Deaths Associated with Waterborne Illness in Recreational Water Are Caused by Legionnaires’ Disease

Outbreaks of waterborne illness, like Legionnaires’ disease, have been on the rise over the last several years. An outbreak associated with recreational water is defined as the occurrence of similar illness in two or more persons whose illness are epidemiologically linked by location and time of exposure to persons using recreational water. The CDC recently published in their Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report (MMWR) a report on Outbreaks Associated with Treated Recreational Water in the United States from 2015 through 2019. The report covers important statistics about waterborne illness outbreaks occurrences and recommend implementing new Legionella control guidelines. From 2015-2019,…

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.…

July 14, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

An Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease in Minnesota Linked to an Alberta Lee Hotel

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at an Alberta Lee hotel has hospitalized two people. Investigators from the Minnesota Health Department have confirmed that early evidence suggests the outbreak originated at the hotel spa. Both infected individuals spent time in the hot tub located in the spa before becoming sick. It is believed that more people are experiencing symptoms consistent with Legionnaire’s disease. The health department is urging anyone who visited the hotel between June 22 and June 29 to watch for symptoms. The urge any individual that is experiencing any symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, chills, shortness…

May 8, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

PA Senate Democrats Hold Policy Hearing on Legionella Prevention

On Wednesday, May 5th Democratic Policy Committee held a virtual policy hearing on Legionella prevention in Pennsylvania and the concerns as buildings begin to reopen. Stagnant water, like that in buildings that have been closed for extended periods, provides an ideal environment for Legionella to grow. They are particularly vulnerable to bacterial growth, including Legionella, when the systems aren’t cared for properly. Despite these serious risks, there is currently no regulations in the state of Pennsylvania regarding legionnaires disease and water management. “Legionnaire’s disease is a largely preventable disease,” said Dr. Richard Miller, Co-Founder/President/Chief Scientific Officer at Environmental Safety Technologies, Inc. during the policy hearing…

April 26, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Possible Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Macon, Missouri

Two individuals have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after using the hot tub and pool at a Comfort Inn & Suites in Macon, Missouri. The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services tested the water at the hotel and found the presence of the Legionella bacteria in the hot tub. Legionnaires’ disease is contracted when individuals breathe in particles contaminated with the Legionella bacteria. Sources of exposure at hotels are commonly the pool and hot tub area, as well as showers and faucets. The first symptoms to appear are usually flu-like (fever, tiredness, muscle aches, and headache). Signs of a serious Legionella lung infection include cough and…

April 12, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires Disease Outbreak in an Indianapolis Healthplex

The Indianapolis Healthplex has been closed following an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease. The local gym has been closed since Sunday after several members were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. [1] Legionnaires’ disease is contracted when individuals breathe in particles contaminated with the Legionella bacteria. Sources of exposure at gym or health center are many, as legionella bacteria can grow and become aerosolized through a number of different sources where water is being heated. Potable water systems, including faucets, showers, and saunas, can be sources where Legionella bacteria can grow. The first symptoms to appear are usually flu-like (fever, tiredness, muscle aches,…

March 22, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Spring Is Here, What You Need to Know About Gardening and Legionnaires’ Disease

Today is one of the first full days of spring, which means the beginning of gardening season for many homeowners and gardening enthusiasts. However, what most gardeners do not know is that they could be exposing themselves to Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires disease, lives in most organic material. This means that it can live in bags of potting soil, as well as the soil in the ground. In a previous case our office worked on, a bag of potting soil tested positive for Legionella bacteria. Our client used the contaminated potting soil and became very…

March 19, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionella Revisited: The Spa and Waterpark Case

This post highlights three past client’s cases to demonstrate the common scenarios where Legionnaires disease can be contracted. This post examines the potential sources of exposure that exist in a day spa and waterpark settings. For more information on the possible dangers of hot tubs, check out our blog post about it. In February 2017, our clients contracted Legionnaires disease following a visit to a local Sauna and Spa. Within days of each of their visits, they began suffering from symptoms that eventually led to their Legionnaires disease diagnosis. The spa offered a variety of amenities including hot tubs, spas, saunas,…

March 15, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Union County Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak, Could it be Cooling Towers?

There is currently an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Union County, New Jersey. The source of infection has not yet been identified. However, based on past cases that we have worked on we believe it is possible that the source of this outbreak could be cooling towers. In July and August 2015, there was an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease in the Bronx that claimed 12 lives and infected at least 128 people. The outbreak caused widespread concern and weeks of uncertainty among residents. Thanks to the hard work of epidemiologists and investigators, the source of the outbreak was identified: a…

March 15, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Home Hot tubs, Helpful or Harmful? What Manufactures Are Not Telling You

Growing hot tub sales could prove to be problematic. Most often, hot tub manufacturers and installers do not warn those buying hot tubs of the possibility that their hot tub could infect them with Legionnaires disease. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to most of the country spending more time at home than ever before. Subsequently, this has led to a huge increase in the sale of hot tubs for residential use. Hot tubs can be beneficial. They are proven to reduce muscle pain and stress levels. However, the growing number of hot tub owners could prove to be dangerous. Hot…