Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Elliot Olsen has regained millions of dollars for people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease in West Orange, please call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

Legionella continues to plague the city of West Orange, NJ, after test results revealed elevated levels in nine of the city’s 12 schools.

The bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease also was found in the district’s administrative building.

Since there have been no confirmed cases of the disease connected to any school facilities, West Orange Public School District superintendent Jeffrey Rutzky said: “There is no reason to close the schools.”

The schools that returned positive tests were:

  • Edison Middle School
  • Gregory Elementary School
  • Hazel Elementary School
  • Mt. Pleasant Elementary School
  • Redwood Elementary School
  • Roosevelt Middle School
  • St. Cloud Elementary School
  • Washington Elementary School
  • West Orange High School.

The three schools that were Legionella-free were Betty Maddalena Early Learning Center, Kelly Elementary School, and Liberty Middle School.

“We want to make sure everybody is safe; we want to make sure the water is safe,” Rutzky told PIX11 News. “We’re doing filters, changing out piping, and then the chlorination process.”

Timeline of a city infected
The city has been battling Legionella issues since late July after a municipal worker was sickened with Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella was found in the city’s Town Hall, one of the two buildings in which the employee worked.

Testing was ordered in early August at more than a dozen municipal buildings, and the bacteria was found in six of the city’s properties: Fire Headquarters, Firehouse No. 2, Firehouse No. 4, and Police Headquarters tested positive for the bacteria, as did field houses at Lafayette Park and O’Connor Park.

In mid-August, Legionella was discovered in the water at Redwood Elementary School after a parent whose child was attending summer camp there reported that her child was sick with what the doctor said could be Legionnaires’ disease. The child eventually was determined not to have the disease, according to Rutzky.

Officials began remediation efforts at Redwood Elementary after Aug. 14 test results showed four of 15 samples had elevated levels of Legionella.

Remediation and disinfection
On Aug. 30, New Jersey American Water tested sinks and water fountains at Redwood Elementary for coliform bacteria. The results were satisfactory by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standards, according to a statement released by Rutzky. Even though Redwood’s samples met the standard, OMEGA Environmental Services was hired to perform a disinfection procedure using a hyper-chlorinated solution on Sept. 10-11.

The disinfection procedure included the following steps:

  • Chlorine is pumped into the hot water heater and remains in the hot water tank for four hours to eliminate any bacteria.
  • Chlorine is then pumped through the hot water piping system and stays in the system for 14 hours to eliminate any bacteria.
  • Chlorinated water is drained from the hot water tank and hot water piping system, and flushed with fresh water.
  • Water samples are drawn and retested after the hyper-chlorination procedure to verify that the water again meets SDWA standards.

Remediation efforts at Redwood Elementary included:

  • Installing filters on the water sources that tested positive.
  • Replacing faucets in the affected areas.
  • Proactively and temporarily covering all water fountains despite the fact that the Legionella only presents a risk to people exposed to airborne droplets and not from drinking affected water.
  • Removing, cleaning and sanitizing all aerators (screens) in all rooms.
  • Where possible, changes in the plumbing systems will be done to minimize the potential for future bacterial growth.

The same disinfection procedures and remediation steps will be performed at all schools and district facilities that showed positive first tests performed by Omega Environmental and retesting performed by Garden State Environmental:

  • Mt. Pleasant and St. Cloud have had the chlorination and retesting processes completed.
  • Hazel has had the chlorination process completed, and retesting will be performed this week.
  • Gregory, Washington and the Administration Building will have the chlorination process completed on Oct. 5 and 6, Oct. 12 and 13 or Oct. 19 and 20. Retesting will be done approximately four days after the chlorination process.
  • Edison and Roosevelt will have the chlorination process completed on Oct. 26 or 27 or Nov. 2 and 3. Retesting will be done approximately four days after the chlorination process.
  • West Orange High School will be completed on Nov. 8 to 11. Retesting will be done approximately four days after the chlorination process.

“We will continue to be diligent in our approach to remediate the water sources that tested positive for Legionella bacteria and proactive in completing the process as quickly as possible,” Rutzky wrote in a statement.

FAQs: Legionnaires’ disease

What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease – also known as legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia – is a severe type of pneumonia (lung infection). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 25,000 Americans yearly develop pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila). Only 5,000 cases are reported, however, because of the disease’s nonspecific signs and symptoms.

Additionally, 10 percent of those who become infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.

Legionella are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor. The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments.

What are the symptoms?
Legionnaires’ disease is similar to other types of pneumonia, and symptoms can even resemble those of flu, which is why the disease often goes under-reported. Those symptoms include:

  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • fever
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Where do Legionella live?
Outbreaks have been linked to a number of sources, such as:

  • water systems, like those used in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • large plumbing systems
  • faucets and showers
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • hot-water tanks and heaters
  • swimming pools
  • decorative fountains
  • mist machines, like those used in the produce sections of grocery stores
  • hand-held sprayers
  • cooling towers of air conditioning systems.

Who is most at risk?
Anyone can become ill from Legionella, but those most susceptible to infection include:

  • people 50 or older
  • smokers, current and former
  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with chronic lung disease
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • individuals who are on specific drug protocols (corticosteroids, to name one).

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Attorney Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease in the District of Columbia, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

Two residents at a Northwest Washington retirement community were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease within a day of each other, according to the DC Department of Health.

The patients reside at Ingleside at Rock Creek Engaged Living, DC’s only not-for-profit, continuing-care retirement community. According to its website, the community includes retirees from the Foreign Service and the Department of State, former educators from the highest levels of academia, writers, musicians, and successful entrepreneurs, all with a common view of elegant living in retirement.

Information on the patients’ conditions was not made available.

DC Health is working with DC Water and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine how the infection occurred.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria, which is contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor (for example, inhaling the hot water vapor from a shower or a sink sprayer hose).

“We can assure District residents that this issue is isolated to the facility and that the drinking water DC Water distributes to the general population is safe,” DC Water wrote in a statement.

High-risk categories
Everyone who comes in contact with the bacteria does not get sick, but anyone can become sick from Legionella infection. Those most susceptible to illness from the bacteria include:

  • people 50 years old or older
  • smokers, current and former
  • people with chronic lung disease (COPD)
  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • people on specific drug protocols (for example, corticosteroids).

Two cases reported at Ingleside at Rock CreekWater restrictions instituted
“Currently, Ingleside at Rock Creek is under a water restriction, as there are two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease,” according to a statement from Ingleside at Rock Creek executive director Frank Beech.  “We truly care about the health and well-being of our residents and have taken steps to ensure that preventive measures are in place.”

The Ingleside staff are supplying bottled water to all residents and – under the advisement of DC Health and the CDC – have instituted full water restrictions until filters can be installed on the showers and sinks to eliminate the spread of Legionella. Dishwashers and washing machines have been cleared for use.

In 2018, there have been 40 recorded cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the District. In 2017, there were approximately 50.

Do you have these symptoms?
If you live or work in the Ingleside at Rock Creek facility or travel in the vicinity of the retirement community, located at 3050 Military Road NW, you should be overly cautious. If you are feeling sick, it’s recommended you see your health-care provider immediately out of an abundance of caution.

Legionnaires’ disease symptoms are similar to those of other types of pneumonia, and they can even resemble those of influenza (flu). Those symptoms include:

  • cough
  • difficulty breathing
  • fever
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Legionnaires’ disease, also known as legionellosis or Legionella pneumonia, is treatable with antibiotics. If not diagnosed early, however, the disease can lead to severe complications and even become deadly. It is not contagious; that is, it cannot be passed from person to person.

One in 10 patients infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.

More Legionnaires info

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia (lung infection). According to the CDC, an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur in the U.S. annually. However, only 5,000 cases are reported because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms.

Where do Legionella live?
The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments. Outbreaks have been linked to a number of sources, such as:

  • large plumbing systems
  • showers and faucets
  • hot-water tanks and heaters
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • decorative fountains
  • mist machines and hand-held sprayers
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • water systems, such as those used in hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • the cooling towers of air conditioning systems.

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease in California, Maryland or Massachusetts, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

Water restrictions at Baltimore-area homeless center

The diagnosis of two people with Legionnaires’ disease has caused the Eastern Family Resource Center (EFRC) in Rossville, MD, to order water restrictions at its facility, according to a press release from the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services (BCDH).

“While it is possible that exposure in these cases could have happened somewhere else, in an abundance of caution, the Baltimore County Department of Health is limiting the oral consumption of water and discontinuing the use of showers at this facility,” the release said.

The two individuals who took ill “spent some time at the center,” prompting the water restrictions and environmental testing by the health department. Water tests were performed to determine if the facility is the source of the Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.

Water restrictions at Baltimore-area homeless center
Two people were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease at the Eastern Family Resource Center in suburban Baltimore.

Restrictions in place
The water restrictions were put in place to reduce exposure to aerosolized water, which is how people are infected with Legionnaires’ disease. Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor.

Showers are temporarily closed, and bottled water is being supplied to residents, visitors, and employees until testing determines that the facility is safe.

Restrictions could be in place for up to three weeks, according to Elyn Garrett-Jones, a spokesperson for the center.

EFRC less than a year old
The $26 million, 80,000-square-foot, three-floor facility located on the campus of MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center opened in October last year. The EFRC includes expanded homeless and transitional shelters, and community health services, including housing for women and families, serving up to 250 people; a transitional shelter program for women and families, with a capacity of up to 38 people; and a new shelter for men, with a capacity of up to 50 people.

The building also houses multiple health department functions. It is located at 9150 Franklin Square Dr. in eastern Baltimore County.

Boston VA patient infected

In the latest Legionnaires’ case to hit New England, a patient treated at three different Veteran’s Affairs hospitals in the Boston area was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, according to health officials in the VA Boston Healthcare System. The patient was treated at facilities in Jamaica Plain, Brockton, and West Roxbury.

“VA Boston has diagnosed one of its inpatients with LD and is following strict protocols to learn whether this patient contracted LD while in the hospital,” the VA Boston HealthCare System wrote in a statement.

Officials are tracing the patient’s movements and testing the water for Legionella at all three hospitals to determine if one of the hospitals is the source of the patient’s infection. The VA did not release information about the patient’s condition.

“We working to test any potential water source in the patient’s path along our VA system to see if there’s a presence of Legionella within that source,” Dr. Katherine Linsenmeyer, VA Boston Healthcare System associate chief epidemiologist, told NECN 10 News.

Hot spot for Legionnaires
Over the last two months, Legionnaires’ disease has made headlines across New England:

  • New Hampshire: Eighteen individuals were infected with Legionnaires, including one fatality, in Hampton between June 14 and August 24. The state typically sees an average of 30 cases per year.
  • Rhode Island: In August, two residents at Saint Elizabeth Manor, a skilled nursing and rehab center in Bristol, were infected in August. Three cases were diagnosed between mid-August and early September at Summit Commons Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Providence.
  • Maine: In late August, the Maine Center for Disease Control issued an alert to the public, declaring that the state had recorded sixteen cases in 2018, including nine since the start of August.
  • Massachusetts: In early September, the Lowell Department of Public Health announced that four cases of Legionnaires had been confirmed across the city in July and August. Health officials are investigating to see if the cases are connected.

Disneyland fined in wake of 2017 outbreak

Disneyland
Disneyland was cited and fined by OSHA for improperly cleaning cooling towers linked to a 2017 Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) fined Disneyland, saying the theme park failed to properly maintain cooling equipment, leading three employees to acquire Legionnaires’ disease, according to a citation recently obtained by the Los Angeles Times.

In all, 22 people were sickened last fall in Orange County, including 19 people who had visited the park. Two of the three employees were hospitalized, and two victims – neither of whom visited the park – passed away.

Cal/OSHA fined Disney $33,000 for the alleged violations, saying:

  • The park did not take adequate steps to clean and maintain the cooling towers.
  • It failed to implement procedures to correct workplace hazards.
  • It did not report two worker illnesses promptly.

OSHA investigates workplace fatalities and catastrophes resulting in the hospitalization of three or more workers. Its findings address only how the three employees were infected, and not how the other 19 people were sickened.

“The employer did not follow the manufacturer’s cooling tower start-up maintenance and water-treatment procedure to control outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease,” Cal-OSHA wrote in the citation. “As a result, two employees suffered serious illness, requiring hospitalization of more than 24 hours.”

Disneyland has appealed the fine, saying the source of the outbreak could have been elsewhere in the Anaheim area. Park officials said they will present their case Oct. 4 before a three-member appeals panel in West Covina, unless they settle with Cal/OSHA before that time.

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease at Summit Commons, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

Three cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been confirmed at a Providence, RI, health-care facility where Legionella bacteria were detected, according to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).

The illnesses occurred between mid-August and early September at Summit Commons Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, which is located at 99 Hillside Avenue. Elevated levels of Legionella were indicated during testing after the illnesses were diagnosed.

“What happens is, unfortunately, when we see a lot of cases of Legionnaires’ disease, it tends to be in assisted-living facilities and nursing homes,” Joseph Wendelken, RIDOH public information officer, told WPRI 12 News. “You have a very vulnerable population.”

Who is most at risk?
Anyone can contract Legionnaires’ disease, but people most susceptible to infection include:

  • anyone 50 years of age or older
  • smokers, both current and former
  • anyone with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an umbrella term that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and sometimes asthma
  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • anyone with a compromised immune system
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • anyone on a specific drug protocol (corticosteroids, to name one).

Because of health privacy laws, no additional information on the patients was released. In addition, Wendelken said the bacteria that caused the illnesses is localized, and the wider public is not at risk.

Remediation efforts underway
In a letter addressed to residents, family and visitors, Summit Commons outlined its remediation efforts to eradicate Legionella. The facility has:

  • installed special water filters on all sinks and showers;
  • handed out bottled water for drinking;
  • given bed baths to minimize the risk to residents;
  • treated the water system with chlorine to remove Legionella from the building;
  • and conducted several rounds of water testing to evaluate the remediation efforts and identify sources of bacteria.

“The health and well-being of our residents is always our primary concern, and thus we feel it best to take these steps to ensure their well-being,” a Summit Commons official wrote.

Second nursing home hit
Summit Commons is the second Rhode Island care facility in two months to report a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. In August, Saint Elizabeth Manor, a skilled nursing and rehab center in Bristol, confirmed two cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Saint Elizabeth Manor is approximately 20 miles from Summit Commons.

Last year, there were about 50 cases of Legionnaires’ disease across the state of Rhode Island.

Residents, employees, and visitors to Summit Commons who recently have suffered from or are currently exhibiting pneumonia- or flu-like symptoms (see below) should seek immediate medical attention from their health-care provider.

Legionnaires FAQs

What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease – also known as legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia – is similar to other types of pneumonia, which is an infection of the air sacs in one or both lungs that might produce fluid in the lungs. Symptoms, which also can resemble the flu, include:

  • coughing
  • difficulty breathing
  • high fever
  • muscle aches and pains
  • headaches
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

How prevalent is the disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur each year, but only 5,000 cases are reported because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms. Ten percent of those who become infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.

How are Legionella contracted?
Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor. The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments.

Outbreaks have been linked to a number of sources, such as:

  • the cooling towers of air conditioning systems
  • large plumbing systems
  • water systems such as those used in hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • showers and faucets
  • hot water tanks and heaters
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • mist machines and hand-held sprayers
  • decorative fountains.

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease in Chicago, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

Two guests of the same downtown Chicago hotel have been confirmed with Legionnaires’ disease, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). The only commonality between the two patients is that both stayed at the Embassy Suites (600 North State Street) in the city’s River North neighborhood.

“At this time, it is not known whether the Embassy Suites was the source of the bacteria that caused the two people to become sick,” the CDPH wrote in a statement.

Both patients, out-of-state residents whose illnesses were confirmed by a laboratory, have been treated and are recovering. One was diagnosed in mid-August, the other in early September.

The hotel is cooperating fully with the investigation, and officials said there is no immediate risk to the public. The hotel is notifying thousands of guests who stayed at the Embassy Suites from early August to early September.

“We’ve been working with this hotel very closely since we heard about it,” CDPH commissioner Dr. Julie Morita told WLS-TV. “They’ve taken appropriate actions and have shut down any potential sources of this bacteria.”

At the CDPH’s recommendation, the hotel has commenced remediation efforts: closing all water features, including the pool, hot tub, and fountain, and disinfecting its water system. An alert on the Embassy Suite’s website states: “Our fitness center and pool will be undergoing maintenance September 4-November 30, 2018. One of our meeting rooms will house a temporary fitness center during this time.”

The health department has begun environmental testing at the property, including taking water samples, to determine whether the property is the source of the Legionella bacteria that sickened the two guests. Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor.

“Our primary concern is always the safety and well-being of our guests and employees,” Embassy Suites officials wrote in a statement. “We are working closely with the city and are taking all appropriate steps as directed.”

WLS-TV reported, however, that a guest said they were not notified about the situation upon check-in,

Watch for symptoms
The CDPH recommends that anyone who visited the hotel since early August, works at the property, or travels near the vicinity of the hotel should be alert for signs of illness. An infected person might not yet be presenting symptoms, because of the disease’s incubation period.

That incubation period – that is, the amount of time between breathing in the bacteria and developing symptoms – is usually 2 to 10 days after exposure and can be as much as 16 days.

If you are feeling flu-like symptoms (see list below), it’s recommended you see your health-care provider immediately out of an abundance of caution.

“We are working to help prevent additional people from becoming sick,” Morita said. “Individuals who believe they may have been exposed and who develop symptoms should contact their provider.”

Similar to other pneumonia types

The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease look like other forms of pneumonia or even the flu, which is why so many cases go unreported every year. Early symptoms can include the following:

  • chills
  • fever (potentially 104 degrees or higher)
  • headaches
  • loss of appetite
  • muscle aches.

After the first few days of the disease presenting, symptoms can worsen to include:

  • chest pain when breathing (called pleuritic chest pain, due to inflamed lungs)
  • confusion and agitation
  • a cough, which may bring up mucus and blood
  • diarrhea (about one-third of all cases result in gastrointestinal problems)
  • nausea and vomiting
  • shortness of breath.

(Note: There is also a mild form of Legionnaires’ disease called Pontiac fever, which can produce similar symptoms that include fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. Pontiac fever doesn’t infect the lungs, however, and symptoms usually clear within two to five days.)

More on Legionnaires’ disease

Legionnaires’ disease is also known as legionellosis or Legionella pneumonia. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur yearly in the U.S. Only 5,000 cases are reported, however, because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms.

Approximately one in 10 patients infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the disease.

Legionella sources
The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments. Outbreaks have been linked to numerous sources, such as:

  • cooling towers of air conditioning systems
  • large plumbing systems
  • water systems, such as those used in hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • hot-water tanks and heaters
  • showers and faucets
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • mist machines and hand-held sprayers
  • decorative fountains.

People also can contract Legionnaires’ disease by the aspiration of contaminated drinking water – that is, choking or coughing while drinking can cause water to go down the wrong pipe into the lungs. It’s also possible to contract Legionnaires’ disease from home plumbing systems, although the vast majority of outbreaks have occurred in large buildings because complex systems allow the bacteria to grow and spread more easily.

Who is most at risk for infection?
Anyone can get the disease, but those at the highest risk of infection include:

  • people 50 years old or older
  • smokers (current or former)
  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema)
  • people with weakened immune systems (those suffering from conditions such as diabetes, cancer, kidney failure, or infected with HIV)
  • organ-transplant recipients (kidney, heart, etc.)
  • individuals following specific drug protocols (for instance, corticosteroids)

Even relatively healthy individuals have been known to contract the disease, although less typically.

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease in Sioux Falls, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) has asked for help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after 14 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease all required hospitalization in Sioux Falls, according to a news release by the state. One victim died.

Twenty-four cases of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe type of pneumonia (or lung infection), have been reported in South Dakota in 2018. The state typically sees between eight and 15 cases annually.

“This is something that we wanted to raise awareness, specifically to help identify additional individuals who may be ill within the community that should be seeking their health-care provider for testing, ” state epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton, Ph.D., MPH, told KELOLAND News. “This is not a huge concern in terms of the overall risk. What we’re seeing is a general increase.”

Hunt is on for source(s)
The DOH is interviewing patients to identify commonalities and to try to pinpoint possible exposure areas and determine the cause(s) of the illnesses. The DOH also has contacted health-care providers in Sioux Falls to notify them of the increase to assist them in quickly diagnosing and treating the disease.

Because of the similarity to other forms of pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease often goes undetected, unless special laboratory tests are performed.

“In addition to enhanced case investigations, CDC will assist us with environmental assessments and testing to identify water sources that may contain the Legionella bacteria,” Clayton was quoted in the news release. “However, it is often the case that a single source may not be found.”

The Sioux Falls Health Department will be coordinating outreach to local businesses.

Watch for symptoms
If you live, work in, or travel through Sioux Falls, you should be overly cautious. If you are feeling sick, it’s recommended you see your health-care provider immediately out of an abundance of caution.

Legionnaires’ disease symptoms are similar to those of other types of pneumonia, and they can even resemble those of influenza (flu). Those symptoms include:

  • cough
  • difficulty breathing
  • fever
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Legionnaires’ disease is treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed early. If not diagnosed quickly, the disease can lead to severe complications and even become deadly. It is not contagious; that is, it cannot be passed from person to person.

One in 10 patients infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.

Who is most at risk?
The 14 illnesses in Sioux Falls affected people who either reside or traveled to the city. Those sickened range in age from 36 to 80 years old, with a median age of 57.

Most people exposed to the bacteria don’t develop the disease, but anyone can become ill from Legionella. Those most susceptible to infection include:

  • people 50 years of age or older
  • smokers, both current and former
  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with chronic lung disease
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • individuals who are on specific drug protocols (corticosteroids, to name one).

Outbreak? Cluster? Community-acquired?
The terms “cluster” and “outbreak” are used when multiple cases are reported in or around the same proximity and within a designated period. The term “community-acquired” is used when there are no commonalities; these kinds of cases are the most common.

If two or more illnesses occurred in the same general vicinity within a period of three to 12 months, the term “cluster” would be used.

If two or more cases are reported within days or weeks, rather than months, and occurred in a more limited geographic area – meaning officials can pinpoint a specific area within a city where illnesses occurred – then the term “outbreak” would be used.

The DOH has not classified the increase in cases within Sioux Falls.

Legionnaires’ 101

Legionnaires’ disease is also known as legionellosis or Legionella pneumonia. According to the CDC, an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur in the U.S. annually. However, only 5,000 cases are reported because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms.

Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor. The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments.

Possible sources
Outbreaks and clusters have been linked to a number of sources, such as:

  • large plumbing systems
  • showers and faucets
  • hot-water tanks and heaters
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • decorative fountains
  • mist machines and hand-held sprayers
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • water systems, such as those used in hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • the cooling towers of air conditioning systems.

Warmer weather a problem
Legionnaires’ disease is “an emerging disease in the sense that the number of recorded cases of Legionnaires in the United States continues to increase,” said Laura Cooley, MD, MPH from the CDC’s Respiratory Diseases Branch.

In a 2017 interview, Cooley said the increase is due to a rise in the susceptibility of the population, with more and more people on immunosuppressive medications. There also could be more Legionella in the environment, with warmer temperatures creating the right conditions for bacterial growth.

Seventeen of the 18 warmest years since modern record-keeping began have occurred since 2001, according to analyses by both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The four warmest years on record have occurred since 2014, with 2017 being the warmest non-El Niño year recorded.

This year is shaping up to be the fourth-hottest year on record. The only years hotter were the three previous ones.

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease at The Sands Resort, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

Health officials raised the number of individuals sickened in the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Hampton, NH, to 18 as they announced that the investigation into the outbreak is concluding, according to a press release from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Sixteen of the 18 people were hospitalized and included one fatality. The individuals took ill in an area of Hampton identified as Ashworth Avenue between Island Path and M Street between June 10 and August 26.

Three additional cases were identified and added to the count since the hot tubs at The Sands Resort at Hampton Beach and the Harris Sea Ranch Motel were shut down in late August. Both facilities were suspected to be possible sources for the outbreak.

After the hot tubs were shut down, it was learned by WMUR News 9 that neither The Sands nor the Harris Sea Ranch had registered their hot tubs with the state. Registration is required by officials to ensure that public pools and spas comply with health and safety standards.

Officials said they believe the current health risk to the community to be “low.”

Sands positive for Legionella
Test results at The Sands returned elevated levels of Legionella – the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease – in the hot tub, water heater, outdoor shower hose, and the sinks and shower heads in three guest rooms. At that time that was announced, it was published that nine of the 14 people sickened were guests at the property; those numbers have not been updated.

Water samples taken from The Sands hot tub were found to be growing the same strain of Legionella bacteria that was isolated from one of the patients diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, indicating that the hot tub was a source, the DHHS said.

The Sands water system was remediated in early September, and new samples have been collected for testing by an independent laboratory to ensure that Legionella has been eliminated from the facility.

Harris Sea Ranch tests negative
Environmental and water testing results from the Harris Sea Ranch were negative for Legionella, but officials denoted those results did not rule out the facility as a potential source. Very high levels of chlorination found in the hot tub at the time of sampling may have resulted in the absence of Legionella from the samples.

“It just means it’s not there anymore,” Jake Leon, DHHS director of communications, told seacoastonline.com. “It’s not cleared per say. It’s just that it didn’t come back as a positive test.”

Sands to remove hot tub
Tom Saab, owner of The Sands Resort, said the hot tub has been closed permanently and will be removed so the space can be used for something else. “It’s going to be ripped out of there,” he told seacoastonline.com. “It’s not worth the aggravation to open it.”

A lawsuit has been filed in Rockingham Superior Court by two Massachusetts women who claim they contracted Legionnaires’ disease while using the hot but during their stay at The Sands.

Legionnaires’ FAQs

Legionnaires’ disease – also called legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia – is a severe type of lung infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur yearly in the U.S. Only 5,000 cases are reported, however, because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms.

Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor. The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments.

Where do Legionella live?
Outbreaks have been linked to a number of sources:

  • water systems, such as those used in apartment complexes, hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • the cooling towers of air conditioning systems
  • large plumbing systems
  • hot-water tanks and heaters
  • showers and faucets
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • mist machines and hand-held sprayers
  • decorative fountains.

What are the symptoms?
Legionnaires’ disease develops anywhere from two to 10 days after exposure to Legionella. Symptoms frequently begin with the following:

  • severe headache
  • muscle aches and pains
  • chills
  • high fever, which can be 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

By day two or three, other symptoms develop, including:

  • coughing, which often brings up mucus and sometimes blood
  • difficulty breathing, also known as dyspnea
  • chest pains
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea
  • confusion and other mental changes.

Although Legionnaires’ disease primarily affects the lungs, it occasionally can cause infections in wounds and other parts of the body, including the heart.

Who is most at risk?
Anyone can become ill from Legionella, but those most susceptible to infection include:

  • people 50 years of age or older
  • smokers, both current and former
  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with chronic lung disease
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • individuals who are on specific drug protocols (corticosteroids, to name one).

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease at The Sands Resort, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

Two central Massachusetts women are suing the Hampton, NH, resort at the center of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak.

Nine of the 15 individuals sickened during the outbreak stayed at or visited The Sands Resort at Hampton Beach, located at 32 Ashworth Avenue. At least 12 of those sickened were hospitalized, and one victim – a senior citizen – died away.

According to court documents, Louise M. Pare of Gardner and Celeste M. Billington of Templeton are seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages, alleging negligence by the Sands personnel in maintaining the hot tub and spa area. The lawsuit, which was filed in Rockingham County Superior Court in Brentwood, NH, also claims that issues associated with the water distribution systems at the hotel resulted in the two contracting the sometimes-deadly respiratory illness.

Sands Resort Management Co. Inc., Andrew Escamilla, Daniel Emerson, Aqua Paradise Pools and Spas, and Sands Realty Trust members Leonard J. Samia, Thomas Saab, and Edward Saab are listed as defendants in the lawsuit, which claims negligence and a failure to warn residents of the problem.

Damages claimed
According to court documents, Pare and Billington rented condominium unit 224 at The Sands Resort on August 3-5. The lawsuit alleges Pare got “chills” on August 5 and woke up in the early-morning hours of August 6 “soaked in sweat.”

The lawsuit states Billington also became sick the night of August 5, and both women were diagnosed with legionellosis, another name for Legionnaires’ disease.

In the lawsuit, both women claim they sustained damages, including “medical expenses, loss of income, severe pain and mental suffering” as a result of their illnesses.

Legionella found
On Sept. 2, state health officials announced that preliminary testing showed increased levels of Legionella – the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease – in numerous areas at The Sands Resort:

  • hot tub
  • water heater
  • outdoor shower hose
  • sinks and shower heads in three guest rooms.

Legionnaires’ info

Legionnaires’ disease – also known as Legionella pneumonia – is a severe type of pneumonia (lung infection). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur in the U.S. annually. However, only 5,000 cases are reported because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms.

Ten percent of those who become infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor. The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments.

Legionellosis symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease is similar to other types of pneumonia. Symptoms can resemble those of flu, such as:

  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • fever
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

High-risk categories
Anyone can become sick from Legionella, but those most susceptible to infection from the bacteria include:

  • people 50 years old or older
  • smokers, current and former
  • people with chronic lung disease (COPD)
  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • people on specific drug protocols (for example, corticosteroids).

Where do Legionella live?
Outbreaks have been linked to a number of sources, such as:

  • large plumbing systems
  • showers and faucets
  • hot-water tanks and heaters
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • decorative fountains
  • mist machines and hand-held sprayers
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • water systems, such as those used in hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • the cooling towers of air conditioning systems.

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Attorney Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease in Lowell, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

Four cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been confirmed in Lowell, MA, according to the Lowell Department of Public Health.

Officials said they are confident the cases are not connected to the outbreak in Hampton, NH, which has sickened 15 people, one of whom died. Hampton is approximately 40 miles northeast of Lowell.

“There are individual cases that have come up in the city,” Brendan Flynn, Lowell’s deputy director of finance health and human services, told the Lowell Sun.

While it’s not known whether the four cases are connected, Lowell health officials said the public is not believed to be at risk. No information was released on the four victims.

Officials: No risk to public
Temperatures in the area have been unseasonably warm – there have been 56 days in the 80s and 90s this summer. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), the warm, humid weather conditions “support the growth of the Legionella bacteria.”

The MPDH could not confirm the Lowell cases but said that isolated or sporadic cases of Legionnaires’ do not pose a public health concern.

Positive tests for Legionnaires’ disease – also called legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia, which is a severe type of lung infection – are automatically and electronically reported to the state, prompting a public health investigation with the reporting provider.

The MPDH works with local boards of health on every reported case to identify possible sources of exposure. If multiple cases occur, the MPDH will investigate to see if the cases are connected, which could signify the existence of an outbreak or cluster.

Lowell woman beats Legionnaires’ – again
Lisa Cosseboom, 49, of Lowell, told the Sun this was her second go-round with Legionnaires’ disease. The first occurred nearly a decade ago.

She went on to say that she suspects she might have contracted Legionella – the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease – from a hot tub. Hot tubs are the focus of the Hampton outbreak’s investigation, but Cosseboom said had not been to Hampton.

“When I was there (in the hospital), I heard other patients with it,” said Cosseboom, who has been discharged. Her symptoms included a fever, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea.

“I’m feeling OK now,” she said. “I hope to be back to work on Monday.”

Warm, humid weather at fault?
In a 2017 interview, Laura Cooley – MD, MPH from the Respiratory Diseases Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – called Legionnaires’ disease “an emerging disease in the sense that the number of recorded cases of Legionnaires’ in the United States continues to increase.”

Cooley said the increase in cases is due to a rise in the susceptibility of the population – that is, more and more people are on immunosuppressive medications. She also suggested, as the MPDH pointed out, that because warmer temperatures create the right conditions for bacterial growth, there could be more Legionella in the environment.

Seventeen of the 18 warmest years since modern record-keeping began have occurred since 2001, according to analyses by both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The four warmest years on record have all occurred since 2014, with 2017 being the warmest non-El Niño year ever.

This year is shaping up to be the fourth-hottest year on record. The only years hotter were the three previous ones.

Legionnaires’ primer

According to the CDC, an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur yearly in the United States. Only 5,000 cases are reported, however, because of the disease’s nonspecific signs and symptoms.

Ten percent of people who become infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.

Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor. The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments.

Legionella sources
Outbreaks and clusters have been linked to a number of sources:

  • water systems, such as those used in hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • cooling towers of air conditioning systems
  • large plumbing systems
  • showers and faucets
  • hot-water tanks and heaters
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • decorative fountains
  • mist machines and hand-held sprayers
  • equipment used in physical therapy.

High-risk categories
Anyone can become ill from Legionella, but those most susceptible to infection include:

  • people 50 years of age or older
  • smokers, both current and former
  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with chronic lung disease
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • individuals who are on specific drug protocols (corticosteroids, to name one).

What are the symptoms?
Legionnaires’ disease is similar to other types of pneumonia. Symptoms can even resemble those of flu, which is why it often goes under-reported. Symptoms include:

  • cough
  • shortness of breath
  • fever
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Sick with Legionnaires’ disease?
Call (612) 337-6126
Attorney Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease, and he has regained millions of dollars for them. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease in New York City, you might have cause to file a lawsuit. Call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.

The city of New York continues to fight a losing battle against Legionnaires’ disease as two separate incidents were confirmed in two New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments – in Harlem and the Bronx.

Three sickened in Harlem outbreak
Three people were confirmed with Legionnaires’ disease at the Saint Nicholas Houses in Manhattan. All three victims were hospitalized, but they have already been released. No additional information about the patients was released.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) detected elevated levels of Legionella bacteria in six of 13 water tanks that were tested at the public housing project. (Legionella is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.) Testing was performed by the NYCHA about two weeks ago. Remediation efforts have been conducted, including the draining and cleaning of the tanks.

Saint Nicholas Houses in Central Harlem is located between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, spanning a superblock from 127th Street to 131st Street, according to Wikipedia. The project consists of thirteen 14-story buildings containing 1,523 apartment units.

Two sickened in Bronx cluster
Two people were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease at Fort Independence Houses in the Bronx. One of the cases occurred recently, while the other was diagnosed within the past 12 months.

Health officials said they would investigate Fort Independence’s plumbing for the existence of Legionella.

Fort Independence is a 21-story housing development with 346 units, located at 3340 Bailey Avenue in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood.

Watch for symptoms
If you live, work or travel through the vicinity of Saint Nicholas Houses or Fort Independence Houses, you should be overly cautious. If you are feeling sick, it’s recommended you see your health-care provider immediately out of an abundance of caution.

Legionnaires’ disease symptoms are similar to those of other types of pneumonia, and they can even resemble those of influenza (flu). Those symptoms include:

  • cough
  • difficulty breathing
  • fever
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia (lung infection), which is treatable with antibiotics when diagnosed early. It is not contagious; that is, it cannot be passed from person to person.

Outbreak or cluster?
Clusters and outbreaks are where multiple cases are reported in or around the same proximity and within a designated period.

The incident at Saint Nicholas is considered an “outbreak” because the three illnesses were reported within days or weeks, rather than months, and occurred in a more limited geographic area.

The incident at Fort Independence is considered a “cluster” because the two illnesses occurred in the same general vicinity within a period of three to 12 months.

Legionella troubling NYC again
It has been another busy summer for Legionnaires’ disease in New York City:

  • In August, the DOHMH identified a cooling tower at the Sugar Hill Project in Harlem as the culprit for an outbreak that infected 27 people, including one who died, in the upper Manhattan neighborhoods of Washington Heights and Hamilton Heights.
  • Also in August, New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) confirmed that two of its employees, working out of separate locations, were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.
  • In late July, two cases were confirmed at Clinton Manor, a property for Section 8 tenants in the Manhattan neighborhood of Hell’s Kitchen.

Legionnaires’ info

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur yearly in the U.S. Only 5,000 cases are reported, however, because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms.

One in 10 patients infected with Legionnaires’ will die from the disease.

Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor. The bacteria, which grow best in warm water, are found primarily in human-made environments.

Legionella sources
Legionnaires’ disease clusters and outbreaks have been linked to numerous sources, such as:

  • cooling towers of air conditioning systems
  • large plumbing systems
  • water systems, such as those used in hospitals, nursing homes, and hotels
  • hot-water tanks and heaters
  • showers and faucets
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • mist machines and hand-held sprayers
  • decorative fountains.

People at increased risk
Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick, but people 50 years old and older – especially those who smoke and have chronic lung conditions – are at a higher risk.

Other people more susceptible to infection include:

  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • individuals who are on specific drug protocols (corticosteroids, to name one).