While health officials haven’t definitively pinpointed the exact source of the Legionnaires’ disease cluster in which 12 people have been sickened in McHenry County, IL, investigators have narrowed their probe for six cases.

The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH), working in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), determined that six people infected with the respiratory illness either lived, worked or spent time within a 1½-mile radius of the intersection of Route 176 and Walkup Road in Crystal Lake.

Thus far, the inquiry into the activity of the other six provided investigators with no common connection.

The MCDH also announced that during its investigation, three additional cases were identified, increasing the case count to 12. Of the three new cases, two are from outside the county, and one is an out-of-state visitor to McHenry County.

Inquiry ongoing
The radius around the Crystal Lake intersection will serve as the focal point of the investigation, said MCDH community information coordinator Keri Zaleski. “Coming up with this case definition is very important,” she said.

The CDC is examining environmental samples from the area to determine the source of the Legionella bacteria.

“Many environmental samples have been collected,” acting MCDH administrator Joe Gugle said in a news release. “However, it is often the case that a single source is never found, which is not surprising or unusual considering that Legionella bacteria are pervasive in our natural environment.”

More cases unlikely
Seen more frequently in hot weather, Legionella are transmitted through mist or small droplets of water from freshwater environments such as lakes and streams.

Zaleski said that because the 10- to 14-day incubation period for Legionnaires’ disease has passed, the chances of future cases have decreased considerably.

First report
This outbreak first made headlines July 11, when the MCDH confirmed that nine residents of McHenry County had been sickened with Legionnaires’ disease in less than a month.

Residents of the cities of Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Huntley, McHenry and Wonder Lake were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease between June 7 and July 1. The ages of those sickened ranged from 46 to 82 years old.

“I can tell you eight people were hospitalized, (and) seven have been released,” Zaleski said in an email to the Woodstock Independent. “(Federal privacy) laws prevent any further information about this.”

Long-term-care facilities, other health-care providers, and local municipalities all have been alerted “as a precautionary measure,” Zaleski said.

LD increase
This outbreak represents a large spike in the incidence of Legionnaires’ disease in McHenry County. Last year, there were only four cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the county; there were nine cases in 2016 and three in 2015.

The northern-most border of McHenry County abuts Wisconsin. The county’s population is a little more than 300,000, which makes it Illinois’ sixth-most populous county.

Legionnaires’ info

Legionella bacteria grow best in warm water, and they are found primarily in human-made environments, including but not limited to:

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) confirmed it is investigating 11 cases of Legionnaires’ disease, including the death of one person, all connected to the Saint Columbkille Church parish in suburban Cleveland.

All 11 victims were hospitalized, but the statuses of the remaining 10 patients, their names and genders were not released, citing privacy concerns.

The case count was amended after four additional cases were identified among those who attended services at the suburban Cleveland Catholic church.

The CCBH also confirmed the July 5th death of a 93-year-old Parma woman who was not one of the six initially identified as part of the cluster. The CCBH was able to connect her case to the cluster after the deceased woman’s family contacted the CCBH a few days ago.

Is church the hotspot?
CCBH officials have visited the church multiple times, conducting environmental testing to see if the bacteria exists on church grounds. The investigation began in early in early June, after the CCBH received notifications of cases from area doctors.

The focus of the investigation is on the parish’s air-conditioning system and a tower that recirculates water for the cooling system, according to CCBH communications officer Kevin Brennan.

The CCBH is interviewing victims to determine if the church or another location is the common source for Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires disease.

“There is not a definite connection with the church,” Brennan told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “It could be coming from a lot of different places. We don’t want to presume (the church) is a hotbed of infection.”

The church shut down the air conditioning in its sanctuary during Sunday’s masses as a precaution, and on the recommendation of the CCBH. The air-conditioning will not be used again until the environmental test results are returned.

“It is not transmitted from person to person,” CCBH health commissioner Terry Allan said. “That individual gets it, and that exposure point could be any range of water-misting sources. What we do not have is evidence in the environment that the Legionella is actually in a water-misting source at the church.”

Legionella, which causes a severe type of pneumonia (lung infection), are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets, usually in the form of mist or vapor.

Members of the church or individuals who live within close proximity or even travel through the Parma neighborhood and are feeling flu-like symptoms (see below) are being advised to seek immediate care from their health-care provider. The Saint Columbkille Church parish, which serves about 3,000 households and includes an elementary school, is located at 6740 Broadview Road.

Are you at risk?
Legionella is not contagious and spread from person-to-person, and most people exposed do not become ill, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The bacteria are treatable with antibiotics when caught early.

The age range for the 11 who were sickened ranges from 74 to 93 years old. They reported their illnesses from early June to mid-July.

Individuals over the age of 50 are considered to be the highest-risk factor for Legionnaires’ disease. Others at greater risk for infection include smokers (current or former), heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages, people with chronic lung disease, and people with compromised immune systems.

County and state see a rise in LD cases
Cuyahoga County has had 40 cases of Legionnaires’ reported this year through June, with 24 in June alone. That is a significant increase compared to 15 through June in 2017 and nine in 2016.

The state of Ohio reported approximately 55 cases annually between 2011 and 2015, but those numbers have increased each of the previous two years, with 80 in 2016 and more than 100 in 2017.

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.

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

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.

Legionnaires’ symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease, which is also known as legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia, is similar to other types of pneumonia, an infection of the air sacs in one or both lungs that can produce fluid in the lungs. Legionnaires’ disease symptoms can resemble common flu-like symptoms in the following forms:

  • fever
  • cough
  • chills
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • confusion
  • difficulty breathing
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Legionella bacteria has sickened six individuals in suburban Cleveland, and health inspectors said they believe the source of the illness may be St. Columbkille Church, where all six are parishioners, according to a statement released by The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.

Cleveland 19 reporter Lacey Crisp reported that a woman in Parma – about 10 miles south of Cleveland – had died from complications of Legionnaires’ disease. The victim’s son told Crisp that the woman who passed away was a parishioner at the church. It is unknown at this time whether she was one of the six who was confirmed to be ill.

Information was not provided on the health status, age or gender of those sickened.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) notified the church of the six potential cases of Legionnaires’ disease. CCBH officials visited the church multiple times, conducting environmental testing to see if the bacteria exists on church grounds.

The church shut down its air conditioning units as a precaution on the recommendation of the CCBH, and the building will not be used until the environmental test results are returned.

Members of the church or individuals who live within close proximity or even travel through the Parma neighborhood and are feeling flu-like symptoms (see below) are being advised to seek immediate care from their health-care provider.

Legionella is not spread from person-to-person, and most people exposed do not become ill, according to the Ohio Department of Health. The bacteria is treatable with antibiotics when caught early.

Legionnaires’ or Pontiac Fever?
People who get sick after being exposed to Legionella can develop two different illnesses: Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac Fever, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Pontiac fever symptoms are primarily fever and muscle aches; it is a milder infection than Legionnaires’ disease. Pontiac fever differs from Legionnaires’ because someone with Pontiac fever does not develop pneumonia.

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 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.

Legionnaires’ symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease, which is also known as legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia, is similar to other types of pneumonia, an infection of the air sacs in one or both lungs that can produce fluid in the lungs. Legionnaires’ disease symptoms can resemble common flu-like symptoms in the following forms:

  • fever
  • cough
  • chills
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • confusion
  • difficulty breathing
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

A disease on the rise
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 of the CDC’s Respiratory Diseases Branch. Cooley said she believes the increase is because of an increase in the susceptibility of the population, with more and more people on immunosuppressive medications. In addition there could be more Legionella in the environment, with warmer temperatures creating the right conditions for bacterial growth.

Harrah’s Laughlin Hotel & Casino in Laughlin is being investigated by the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) after it learned of two cases of Legionnaires’ disease that occurred at the property since November of last year.

The two individuals sickened visited the hotel separately from one another, one in November 2017 and the other in March 2018. Harrah’s was alerted to the outbreak by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after it confirmed the second case last month.

Information was not provided on the health status of the two individuals who were sickened. Their ages and genders also were withheld.

The CDC considers this to be a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak because two or more cases are “associated with the same possible source during a 12-month period.”

It’s the second outbreak at a Caesars Entertainment property within the last year. There were seven confirmed and 29 suspected cases of the disease at the Rio in Las Vegas last year in an investigation that started in June.

Tests positive for infectious bacteria
Officials have tested the Laughlin property for Legionella bacteria, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, and initial tests were positive.

The hotel began aggressive remediation efforts to deal with the dangerous bacteria, including hyper-chlorination (disinfecting) of the water system and proactive water-management efforts.

“We will continue to monitor our water quality in accordance with the SNHD’s guidance to ensure the safety of the water system and our guests,” Caesars Entertainment wrote in a statement.

The SNHD is working with the property to notify current and past guests of the outbreak. Guests who stayed at Harrah’s Laughlin property dating back to Oct. 15, 2017, and who experienced symptoms (see list below) up to 14 days after their stay can report their illness using a survey posted on the Southern Nevada Health District website.

If guests (or employees) of the property developed symptoms within 14 days of their visit but did not receive medical care, they should see their health-care provider to be correctly diagnosed.

Legionnaires’ symptoms
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.

The incubation period – 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. On average, however, the incubation period is 3 to 6 days.

(Note: There is also a mild form of Legionnaires’ disease called Pontiac fever, which can produce 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.)

What is Legionnaires’ disease?

Legionnaires’ disease – also called legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia – is a severe type of pneumonia or lung infection. According to the CDC, an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to the Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur each year, but only 5,000 cases are reported because of the disease’s nonspecific signs and symptoms, and 10 percent of those will die from the infection.

How do you catch the disease?
Legionella bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets 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 range of sources, such as:

  • cooling towers in air conditioning systems
  • water systems like those used in hotels, hospitals, and nursing homes
  • large plumbing systems
  • hot water tanks and heaters
  • showers and faucets
  • swimming pools
  • hot tubs and whirlpools
  • equipment used in physical therapy
  • mist machines in grocery stores’ produce sections
  • 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.

The case count in the Legionnaires’ disease cluster that is affecting upper Manhattan continues to grow as the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) raised the number of infected to 22.

“We may continue to see additional cases,” Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett had warned at a community meeting after the public learned about the cluster.

The new case count comes days after it was announced that the disease had claimed the life of one person. The victim – who has yet to be identified – was over the age of 50 but wasn’t diagnosed early, compromising their health situation.

“This case was not caught early,” said Mark Levine, New York City Council member and chairperson of the Council’s Committee on Health.

The DOHMH first confirmed the cluster on July 11, at which point it was announced that eight people were diagnosed with the disease. The illness has infected individuals from southern Washington Heights and northern Hamilton Heights.

Health-care providers on lookout
The DOHMH has alerted health-care providers in the area regarding the cluster.

If you live, work or even travel through the affected area and are feeling flu-like symptoms (see below), it’s recommended you seek care from your health-care provider immediately, out of an abundance of caution.

“Don’t try to distinguish a flu or cold from Legionnaires’ disease if you’re specifically living in that lower Washington Heights area,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, deputy commissioner for disease control for the DOHMH. “If you’re in that part of the city and have flu-like symptoms, that’s not one to wait on.”

Legionnaires’ symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease, which is also known as legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia, is similar to other types of pneumonia, an infection of the air sacs in one or both lungs that can produce fluid in the lungs. Legionnaires’ disease symptoms can resemble common flu-like symptoms in the following forms:

  • fever
  • cough
  • chills
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • confusion
  • difficulty breathing
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Officials reassured the public that Legionnaires’ disease is not passed person-to-person, and it’s easily cured with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

People at increased risk
“While most people exposed to Legionella (the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease) don’t get sick, individuals ages 50 and above – especially those who smoke and have chronic lung conditions – are at a higher risk,” Bassett said. “This disease is very treatable with antibiotics. I encourage anyone with symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease to seek care early.”

Other people who are 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).

Legionnaires’ info

Legionnaires’ disease 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 yearly in the U.S. Only 5,000 cases are reported, however, because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms.

According to the CDC, 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.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) said it is investigating an outbreak of two cases of Legionnaires’ disease at the recently opened St. John’s Fountain Lake senior community in Albert Lea.

The first resident exhibited symptoms in early June. They were hospitalized and released.

The second resident’s symptoms were reported July 19 to the MDH. Their condition is unknown. Neither the genders nor ages of the two individuals sickened were released.

St. John’s Fountain Lake, which opened last October, provides independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care and short-term care for seniors.

MDH, Freeborn County Public Health, the city of Albert Lea and other agencies are assisting St. John’s during the investigation.

MDH epidemiologist supervisor Kathy Como-Sabetti told the Albert Lea Tribune that the investigation is focusing on the building and the premises, including its plumbing and cooling tower.

“MDH is working with St. John’s Fountain Lake to identify possible sources of Legionella and has recommended that facility management work with a consultant to test and remediate those sources as needed,” the MDH stated in a news release. “In the meantime, MDH is recommending a number of protective measures to minimize the chance for residents to be exposed to any Legionella bacteria.”

St. John’s Fountain Lake has contracted with Innovational Concepts, Inc., to assess the water systems and Minnesota Valley Testing Laboratories to test the samples, according to administrator Scot Spates. Work is expected to begin immediately.

Test results of the facility’s cooling tower in June were negative for the presence of Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, Spates said.

Residents have been warned to avoid drinking the water, using the ice machines and water sprayers, and to take only sponge baths until contractors have completed their remediation and testing shows conclusively that the facility is safe.

Legionnaires’ 101

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 can resemble flu-like symptoms in the following forms:

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

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

  • people 50 years of age 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).

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 does Legionella infect a person?
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.

People also can contract Legionnaires’ disease when they “aspirate” contaminated drinking water – that is, choking or coughing while drinking can cause water to go down the wrong pipe into the lungs. That, however, is a very rare occurrence.

Nine residents of Illinois’ McHenry County were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease in less than a month, according to the McHenry County Department of Health, and officials are scrambling to identify if any “common denominators” exist between the individuals who were sickened.

Residents of Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Huntley, McHenry and Wonder Lake in McHenry County were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, a sometimes-fatal, upper-respiratory illness, between June 7 and July 1. Their ages ranged from 46 to 82 years old.

No link or common source has been identified as to why nine residents of five cities in one county have come down with the pneumonia-like illness.

“I can tell you eight people were hospitalized, (and) seven have been released,” Keri Zaleski, the McHenry County Department of Health public information officer, said in an email to the Woodstock Independent. “(Federal privacy) laws prevent any further information about this.”

None of the individuals sickened were patients or residents of long-term-care facilities, but they – along with other health-care providers and local municipalities – were being alerted “as a precautionary measure,” according to Zaleski.

Help with the investigation
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is assisting in the investigation, and local officials have contacted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to update them on the situation.

There were four cases of Legionnaires’ disease in McHenry County in 2017, nine in 2016, and three in 2015.

The county is located in northern Illinois, and its northern-most border lies on the Wisconsin state line. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 308,760, making it the sixth-most populous county in Illinois.

Similar but different?
In neighboring Kane County, the county directly south of McHenry County, officials are investigating two cases of Legionnaires’ disease from May and June to determine whether they are related to the current situation in McHenry.

“For all we know, the cases are not related to what is going on in McHenry County,” Tom Schlueter, Kane County Health Department spokesperson, told the Aurora Beacon-News. “We’ll be working with the Illinois Department of Public Health and McHenry County to determine if we have any similar cases.”

The two cases are the only cases to be reported in Kane County this year, down from 17 cases confirmed in 2017.

The Legionnaires’ disease cluster that is infecting upper Manhattan has claimed its first life, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The number of infected has also more than doubled as 18 individuals have been diagnosed with the pneumonia-like illness.

The DOHMH first alerted the public about the outbreak July 11 when eight people were confirmed with the disease.

The victim – who has not been identified – was over the age of 50 but wasn’t diagnosed early, compromising their health situation. Seven people remain hospitalized. The illness has infected individuals from southern Washington Heights and northern Hamilton Heights.

“It’s really important if you’re feeling sick to get attention,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, deputy commissioner for disease control for the DOHMH.

Watch for symptoms
If you live, work or even travel through the affected area and are feeling flu-like symptoms (see below), it’s recommended you see your health-care provider immediately, out of an abundance of caution.

Legionnaires’ disease, which is also known as legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia, is similar to other types of pneumonia, an infection of the air sacs in one or both lungs that can produce fluid in the lungs. Legionnaires’ symptoms can resemble common flu-like symptoms in the following forms:

  • fever
  • cough
  • chills
  • muscle aches
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • confusion
  • difficulty breathing
  • gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Officials reassured the public that Legionnaires’ disease is not passed person-to-person, and it’s easily cured with antibiotics if diagnosed early.

“You cannot catch Legionnaires’ from someone sneezing, coughing, hugging you or shaking your hand,” said Mark Levine, New York City Council member and chairperson of the Council’s Committee on Health. “Legionnaires’ is not contagious.”

Call for action from City Hall
Health officials took water samples from 20 cooling-tower systems from buildings between 145th and 165th Streets. Several building owners were ordered to increase their use of biocides to kill Legionella bacteria, which is the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.

City Council member Ydanis Rodriguez believes the city should levy steep fines for building owners of cooling towers that fail inspections.

“This is very serious, a risk that we face in our city,” Rodriguez said outside City Hall. “We should be able to know if we run any risk of contracting the disease when we step into a building. We must also increase fines when a cooling tower fails inspection.”

Legionnaires’ info

Legionnaires’ disease 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 yearly in the U.S. Only 5,000 cases are reported, however, because of its nonspecific signs and symptoms.

According to the CDC, 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.

Where do Legionella live?
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.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is investigating a Legionnaires’ disease community cluster after 11 people were sickened with the illness in the last seven days in upper Manhattan, according to multiple news reports.

“We may continue to see additional cases,” DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said at a community meeting at Saint Luke’s African Methodist Episcopal Church. The meeting was held to discuss the outbreak and answer questions.

The illness has affected individuals from a 20-block area in southern Washington Heights and northern Hamilton Heights. Ten of the 11 infected were hospitalized, and eight remain hospitalized. Ages of the patients have ranged from under 40 to over 80, but the majority were over the age of 50.

The illnesses are categorized as a “cluster” and not an “outbreak” because the cases are linked in space (20-block area) and time (seven-day period). If a single source is discovered to be the cause for all the illnesses, officials would then categorize it as an “outbreak.”

Cooling towers suspected
Also known as legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia, Legionnaires’ disease is a sometimes-deadly lung infection, and on average 10 percent of people infected will die. “Thankfully, there have been no fatalities, yet,” New York City Council member Mark Levine said in a news briefing about the community cluster.

Officials are “actively looking” for the source of the infection, Bassett said, and “we worry about cooling towers.” They are the suspected culprit in this cluster.

“The department has already identified all of the cooling towers that are registered with the city in this geography,” Bassett said. “And (we have) tested all of these cooling towers.”

Said Levine: “Don’t confuse this with water towers, which are in almost every building. This has nothing to do with water towers. This is cooling towers that are used in buildings with central air conditioning, that give off a water vapor, and when it’s hot out – and it’s been really hot the last couple of weeks – this bacteria thrives.”

Inspectors took water samples from 20 cooling-tower systems from buildings between 145th and 155th Streets. Preliminary testing results are expected soon; full results – using cultures, where the bacteria is grown in a laboratory – take two weeks to be completed.

The city has already treated the towers’ water, according to Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the deputy commissioner of Disease Control.

Putting the community at ease
Officials informed the community that Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted person-to-person.

“While most people exposed to Legionella don’t get sick, individuals ages 50 and above – especially those who smoke and have chronic lung conditions – are at a higher risk,” Bassett said in a statement. “This disease is very treatable with antibiotics. I encourage anyone with symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease to seek care early.”

Others who are more susceptible to infection include:

  • heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages
  • people with compromised immune systems
  • recipients of organ transplants
  • people on specific drug protocols (corticosteroids, for example).

NYC’s largest outbreak killed 12 in 2015
The largest outbreak in New York City history occurred in 2015. Contaminated cooling towers were blamed for producing Legionnaires’ disease that killed 12 people and sickened more than 120 others in the South Bronx.

Every year, between 200 and 500 people are diagnosed with the disease in New York, according to city health officials. The majority of those are individual cases not associated with a cluster or outbreak.

Legionnaires’ information

Legionnaires’ disease 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 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?
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.

What are the symptoms?
Legionnaires’ disease is similar to other types of pneumonia, and its symptoms can resemble those of flu, such as:

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

Water testing of the pool and spa area at Four Seasons Palm Springs returned positive results for Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.

The tests linked the pool’s bacteria to the same strain of Legionella that sickened two community residents with Legionnaires’ disease in January.

Environmental testing was ordered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after it learned in June of the two resident’s illnesses. The only commonality between the two infected people was that both had used the pool area.

Four Seasons management was hopeful that the 55-plus active-retirement community’s common areas could be reopened in time for the July 4th holiday, but the closure remains in effect until cleared by the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health (REHS).

“Our department is requiring the pools and spas to remain closed while the Four Seasons works with the remediation company in disinfecting areas/systems,” Dottie Merki, REHS program chief, wrote in an e-mail.

With the pool returning positive results for Legionella, residents, employees and visitors to Four Seasons Palm Springs exhibiting pneumonia- or flu-like symptoms (see the list of symptoms below) should seek immediate medical attention from their health-care provider.

Still no relief from the heat
Residents use the pool and spa areas as a source of temporary solace and comfort from the heat. Daily high temperatures in the Palm Springs area are forecast to hit triple digits throughout July, so the continued closure, which started in late June, remains an inconvenience.

Four Seasons management has made accommodations for residents to use pool amenities at ARRIVE, a nearby hotel in Palm Springs.

Legionella bacteria found in pool at Four Seasons Palm Springs
The pool at Four Seasons Palm Springs, a gated 55-plus active retirement community, tested positive for Legionella bacteria.

Legionnaires’ info

Legionnaires’ disease – also known as legionellosis and Legionella pneumonia – is a severe type of lung infection. According to the CDC, an estimated 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (Legionella pneumophila) occur yearly in the United States, but only 5,000 cases are reported because of its 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.

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

  • 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.

Legionnaires’ 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.

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).