Five guests and one employee of the Springhill Suites Austin Round Rock hotel in Williamson County, Texas, have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The earliest cases were reported to the State Department of Health Services on September 29, 2017. The hotel has enlisted the help of a third-party firm in attempt to identify any possible source of Legionella bacteria and eliminate it from the property. The first three cases all reported being in or around the hot tub at the hotel, as well as the employee who had access to that area of the property. The hotel opted to close…
Drackett Tower at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio is now taking precautions after a student associated with the dorm hall was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of bacterial pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. This bacteria tends to thrive in water environments, and can cause illness when it is inhaled in the lungs through a mist or spray form of the contaminated water. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can include nausea, vomiting, coughing, confusion, and lethargy. Reportedly, the dorm had a water drain line collapse last month which required the line to be shut…
A 62 year old woman died on June 21, 2017, after staying at the Guest House at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee from June 10-13, 2017 with three members of her family. Legionnaires’ disease was reportedly listed as her cause of death by the medical examiner on her autopsy. Her accompanying family members also fell ill and tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. The family filed a lawsuit, alleging that the Guest House at Graceland did not properly maintain its water systems, and thus caused the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease. She and her family reportedly used the pool and hot tub at…
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested the water supply of Lindenwood apartment complex in Queens, NYC after two residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. One diagnosis came last month, while the other was last year. A notice was issued to warn residents to take precautions, but it is not yet clear whether or not the tests performed at the building came back positive for Legionella bacteria. Both residents that fell ill have since been released from the hospital. More information is available at the link below: If you believe you or someone you know has…
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…
James Square nursing home in Syracuse, NY, has implemented additional water restrictions after testing revealed the second building on the property was also positive for Legionella bacteria. The investigation began after two residents reportedly became ill with Legionnaires’ disease, with the first diagnosis in March of 2017, and the second on July 24, 2017. The facility consists of two buildings connected to one another by a pedestrian bridge. The first round of testing revealed Legionella bacteria in one building, while the most recent testing on August 8, 2017, also revealed Legionella bacteria in the second building. The nursing home has since…
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…
Residents living at the Latimer Gardens, a Flushing NYCHA Complex were warned that Legionella, the bacteria causing Legionnaires’ disease may be on the property. This notice from the New York Health Department comes after two residents, including one who remains hospitalized, contracted the disease over a 12-month period, according to officials. The notifications to residents indicated that testing was being done on the water distribution system that supplies residents with their bathing and drinking water. While you normally cannot contract legionnaires’ disease from drinking contaminated water, showering with contaminated water often leads the water to aerolize. The fine mist containing…