Legionnaires’ disease outbreak Archives

February 3, 2026 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires’ disease and Potting Soil: A Dangerous Combination

Gardening is a peaceful and restorative activity for millions of Americans. Yet many do not realize that some commercially sold potting soils and composts can contain naturally occurring legionella bacteria, including legionella longbeachae, a strain associated worldwide with Legionnaires’ disease. In 2024, a Georgia resident suffered a severe case of Legionnaires’ disease after using a commercially available potting soil product. After experiencing sudden respiratory symptoms, he required emergency care and intensive treatment, including prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation. With his informed written consent, we are sharing the broad, non-identifying aspects of his experience to raise awareness about a public-health risk that remains underrecognized in the United States. Environmental testing of unused…

November 11, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Norwegian Cruise Line Warns Passengers of Legionnaires’ Disease Cases

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has issued an urgent notice to current and former passengers of the Norwegian Epic following reports that two travelers were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after recent voyages aboard the 4,100-passenger ship. According to a passenger email shared with Cruise Radio, the alert—sent on November 4—was distributed to guests currently sailing on the ship’s 12-night Mediterranean itinerary from Rome to Lisbon, as well as to passengers who had recently completed earlier segments of the same voyage. NCL’s notice stated that it is unclear whether the guests were exposed aboard the ship or elsewhere. The company is now…

Legionella Pneumophila Bacteria. 3D illustration

November 11, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Marshall County Declares Legionnaires’ Outbreak Over — but the Source Remains a Mystery

November 7, 2025 — Marshall County, Iowa After weeks of investigation and dozens of confirmed cases, Marshall County Public Health (MCPH) has officially declared the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak over. But despite extensive testing and cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), officials say the precise source of the bacteria was never found. The outbreak, which began in early September, sickened 74 people and led to two deaths. Health officials identified 12 business centers in north-central Marshalltown as likely locations where exposure may have occurred — all of which contained cooling towers, a common source of Legionella bacteria.…

September 8, 2025 zacherlaw 0 Comments

The Hunt for a Killer: Manhattan’sLegionnaires’ Outbreak and What It Reveals

“The hunt was on.” That’s how The New York Times iframed the search for thesource of the deadly Legionnaires’ disease outbreak now unfolding in Manhattan.It is an apt metaphor, because when Legionella pneumophila bacteria surface in acity like New York, the chase resembles a high-stakes detective story. The culpritsare invisible, their habitat is hidden, and the cost of delay is measured in lives. A Race Against Time The article describes how health officials, engineers, and epidemiologists havefanned out across Manhattan, scouring cooling towers, plumbing systems, androoftop reservoirs. Their mission: identify the contaminated water system seedingthe outbreak. Each day matters. Legionnaires’…

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…

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…