In our previous post, we discussed first steps for institutions to take in order to develop an effective water management plan to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. And while it is certainly true that Legionnaires’ disease can occur within larger buildings, including older structures with older pipes, there is also the potential to encounter Legionella bacteria and Legionnaires’ disease with outdoor activities, including through gardening. There are a couple of reasons for this. As this site has discussed before, Legionella bacteria often forms in stagnant and standing pools of water, particularly when this water happens to be warm. When…
The recent hearing regarding the outbreak of Legionnaires disease in Quincy, Illinois serves to further highlight the importance of not only a rapid response, but more importantly, a strong prevention strategy. Indeed according to the Center for Disease Control, 9 out of 10 Legionnaires’ disease cases could have been prevented, a staggering figure which emphasizes the importance of prevention. With this in mind, this post serves to provide a general overview of methods institutions can take in order to reduce the risk of Legionnaires disease. First and foremost, reviewing the effectiveness of your water management plan regularly can make a…
Last week, on January 9th, Illinois state officials gathered for a hearing on the Legionnaires’ outbreak which occurred at the Quincy, Illinois Veterans Home and has resulted in the death of 13 people since August 2015. This hearing not only discussed the causes of this outbreak and what responses were taken in its aftermath, but also reviewed next steps forward to ensure that such an incident would not happen again. As a review, the first reported case of this outbreak at the veterans home arrived in late July 2015 with a second identified case arriving just a few weeks later.…
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…
How many of you have used Scott’s Miracle-Gro Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables? My client did, and in a lawsuit brought in federal court he is alleging he contracted Legionnaires’ disease from using the product. The evidence that has been provided so far shows that the same type of Legionella bacteria found in the bag he used was also found in his body while in the hospital. Other evidence shows that Legionnaires’ disease has been associated with manufactured soils in the United States and overseas. Yet no warnings about the dangers associated with Legionnaires’ disease existed on the bag…
The retirement community in downtown Orlando has once again tested positive for Legionella bacteria, despite recent remediation efforts. The water within the community tested positive for Legionella last month, and was subsequently flushed with chlorine. A spokesperson for the community stated that they did not perform a second chlorine flush of the system’s water because the bacteria levels were below the required levels to do so. Is it reported that the community is now working alongside a water consultant with expertise in Legionella bacteria. Exposure to Legionella bacteria can cause illnesses such as Legionnaires’ disease. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease may…
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…
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…
Legionnaires’ disease is the disease is caused by bacterium called Legionella, which is found most often in fresh water. Symptoms include pneumonia and, in some cases, the infection can be deadly. He says the infection is not spread from person to person. Instead, you get it by inhaling the bacteria that’s been aerosolized, which means ultamicroscopic particles that are suspended in air or gas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, outbreaks are commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems, such as hotels and resorts, long-term care facilities, hospitals and cruise ships. The…
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…