The La Quinta Inn at 2979 Millbranch Road in Memphis has been closed indefinitely due to a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. According to Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) officials, reports have been confirmed that five people who were guests at the hotel, located near Memphis International Airport, have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. Shelby officials have called upon the Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to collaborate in what will be a multi-state investigation of the outbreak. According to The Commercial Appeal, Shelby Health Department Director Alisa Haushalter announced that the five guests who contracted the dangerous illness stayed at the La Quinta at some point in August: “In the best interests of … [Read more...]
5 Legionnaires’ Disease Cases in Minnesota Have Hopkins Connection
Five people who live or work in Hopkins, Minnesota, have been diagnosed with Legionnaire' disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by breathing in water mist containing Legionella bacteria, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Onset of illness ranged from August 4 to September 1, 2016. All five were hospitalized, and three of them are still in the hospital. All are over 50 years old. MDH and the Hennepin County Public Health Department are currently investigating the outbreak to determine the source. Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease have been linked to cooling towers (air-conditioning units for large buildings), cooling misters, decorative fountains, plumbing systems, pools and hot tubs. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, also called Legionellosis or … [Read more...]
Cancer Patient Caught Legionnaires’ Disease at Pittsburgh’s Allegheny General Hospital
Matching environmental and medical tests have confirmed that a cancer patient contracted Legionnaires’ disease in May at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Two other “possible” hospital-acquired cases of the dangerous illness have also been revealed to have occurred at around the same time. According to TribLive (the web presence of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review), officials at Allegheny General Hospital began testing their water system after a cancer patient was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. The patient had initially been admitted by the hospital’s emergency department on May 6th because of a respiratory condition. Although released on May 20th, s/he was readmitted four days later, at which point a urine sample tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease. … [Read more...]
Legionnaires Disease Case at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital
A patient was sickened with Legionnaires' Disease at the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana last week. The illness was transmitted through the water in the hospital. The IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer said that the results were positive for the illness. The patient is very ill, but the hospital would not comment further on his or her current condition. Water samples have been sent for testing, and the hospital has hired an expert to help control the risk of further infections. The hospital has stopped all water usage in bathrooms and common areas and is using bottled water while testing is underway. Surgeries can continue and the kitchen hospital is open, since water used in those areas is heated to 140°F, which … [Read more...]
