Legionnaires’ disease outbreak Archives

August 12, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires’ in Harlem: When Public Health Fails the Same Neighborhoods Again and Again

It’s happening again. Another outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New York City — this time in central Harlem, where 73 people have fallen ill and three people have died, according to the NYC Department of Health as of August 7, 2025. Officials believe the likely culprit is a cooling tower — those big rooftop structures that help regulate temperature in buildings but can become deadly if they aren’t properly cleaned and maintained. When they’re contaminated with Legionella bacteria, they can spew mist into the air, carrying an invisible, lethal threat into the streets below. But if you’ve followed Legionnaires’ outbreaks…

August 6, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

When the Mist Turns Deadly: A Legionnaires’ Outbreak in Harlem Brings Back Old Warnings

It’s the middle of summer in New York City, and the hum of air conditioners is a familiar soundtrack. But in central Harlem, that sound comes with a warning. As of August 5, at least 58 people have contracted Legionnaires’ disease — and two have died — in an outbreak believed to be tied to a contaminated cooling tower. Again. The city’s health department is testing towers in the area encompassing the zip codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039, and bordering communities. So far, 11 cooling towers have tested positive for Legionella pneumophila. The city’s health department is urging…

March 31, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

It’s Not the Environment, Stupid!

New England appears to be an epicenter for Legionnaires’ disease. To many,it might not make sense that an area given to cold weather could produce so manypeople contracting the disease. The reality, though, is that Legionnaires’ diseasedoes not need a warm climate such as Florida to grow. Rather, the disease needs anenvironment often made by human negligence. More specifically, the disease requires a warm environment frequentlyoccurring in a building’s plumbing system. A recent example might include thestate health department’s investigation of a case at the Beth Israel DeaconessHospital in Needham, Massachusetts. In that instance, a patient may havecontracted Legionnaires’ resulting…

Legionella Pneumophila Bacteria. 3D illustration

February 7, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Deadly Outbreak is Being Investigated at a Vermont Nursing Home: 6 Infected, 1 Dead – What You Need to Know NOW

According to the Vermont Department of Health, an outbreak of Legionnaires disease is being investigated at the Village at Cedar Hill, part of the Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community in Windsor, Vermont. As of January 29, 2025, six cases have been confirmed, with one resulting in death. healthvermont.gov eagletimes.com Understanding Legionnaires Disease Legionnaires disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. Symptoms typically appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure and include: Cough Fever Headaches Muscle aches Shortness of breath Confusion Diarrhea or nausea The disease is treatable with antibiotics, but certain groups are at higher…

August 28, 2023 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaire’ disease cases in Las Vegas All Over Again

Two people who stayed at the Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino were recently diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, as was also a former guest of the Orleans Hotel and Casino, according to the Southern Nevada Health District. Earlier this year, 2 Legionnaires disease cases were reported among guests at the Orleans , prompting an investigation. According to news reports, the Orleans’ water system was remediated and tested for the presence of the legionella bacteria, showing that there was no bacteria being detected at the time. Even so, after the additional recent new case was reported at the Orleans, environmental samples tested…

May 18, 2023 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Illinois LA Fitness Site linked to Two Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease

An LA Fitness site in Niles, Illinois has been linked to two cases of Legionnaires’ disease according to the Illinois Department of Health. Again, according to the Illinois Department of Health, the Legionella bacteria had been found in the hot tub at the LA Fitness location. According to one user of the gym, many of the members are over 50 years of age. These members are more susceptible to acquiring the disease. If you would like more information about Legionnaires Disease click here. If you suspect you may have contracted or have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ Disease, Contact Attorney Jules…

March 5, 2023 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Outbreak at Las Vegas Hotel

According to news reports, the Southern Nevada Health District is investigating two cases of Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel in Las Vegas. The guests stayed there in ecember 2022 and January 2023. Legionella bacteria was found at the Clarion Hotel again according to the news report. It appears that the legionella was found in the potable water system. This office has previously represented numerous guests who had stayed at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas and acquired Legionnaires’ disease as part of an outbreak. These victims also acquired their disease from the potable water system. The transmission of the disease…

January 25, 2022 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Potential Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak at Missouri Hospital

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is investigating a potential outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease at Phelphs Hospital in Rolla, Missouri. Four cases have been identified among previously hospitalized patients. The DHSS issued a warning to healthcare providers and anyone in the public who may have been in contact with a water source at the hospital. While the DHSS is investigating the outbreak, Phelps Health is monitoring and testing its water system and providing patients with information on Legionnaire’s disease. To read more about the potential outbreak in Missouri, click here. For more information on Legionnaires’ disease, check out…

December 6, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legal Aspects of an Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease at a Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the bacteria genus Legionella. Infection occurs when an infectious dose of the bacteria enters deeply into a susceptible person’s lungs, either by inhaling contaminated aerosolized water droplets, or by aspirating water into the lungs. The outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease which this paper deals with occurred in Ocean City, Maryland. In total, there were nine confirmed cases associated with the hotel. This paper explores several lawsuits filed against the hotel. Hotel guests who contracted the disease filed suit in federal court, applying Maryland state law, and Maryland state court. The victims brought claims for negligence, punitive damages, and violation of Maryland’s consumer law. This paper…

October 29, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Washington County, Oregon

Public health officials in Washington County, Oregon, are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases that has left four people hospitalized. In total, there are six confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the county. Washington County has seen fourteen cases so far this year, and public health officials are speculating that the county may exceed its record number of nineteen cases in 2019. The Washington County Public Health Department, along with the Oregon Health Authority and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are collecting samples and performing testing of potential sources of the outbreak. Public health officials are encouraging residents…