To date, one person has died and several others have been sickened in an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease linked to Glenwood Nursing Home in Florence, Alabama. Legionnaires' is a form of pneumonia caused by inhaling water mist containing Legionella bacteria. All confirmed and suspected cases have been either residents or visitors to the nursing home. The one person who has died in the outbreak was a woman who visited the facility with two family members. She later developed respiratory symptoms and was hospitalized. Tests confirmed Legionnaires disease (Legionella pneumonia). The other family members were also sickened. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has been investigating the outbreak, testing environmental samples from the nursing home and nearby buildings. So far, … [Read more...]
Legionnaires’ Pneumonia Linked to Glenwood Nursing Home in Florence, AL, Legionella Found at Regency Square Mall and Southwire
Legionnaires’ Outbreaks In Wisconsin and Ohio
Legionnaire’s outbreaks in Wisconsin and Ohio have sickened dozens of people, health authorities say. At least 20 people in Milwaukee County have been diagnosed with the disease since June 1, 2013. Of those, 14 are from the city of Milwaukee. Four people remain hospitalized. Wisconsin health authorities are looking for the source or sources of the outbreak In Franklin County, Ohio, 22 illnesses have been associated with the Wesley Ridge Retirement Community in Reynoldsburg. Those sickened include visitors, residents and employees. Two of them have died. Franklin County Public Health, the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working together to determine the source of the outbreak. Legionnaire’s disease is transmitted through … [Read more...]
Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak at 24 Hour Fitness in Memphis, Tennessee
Three people reported contracting Legionnaires' disease after visiting the 24 Hour Fitness on Ridgeway Road in East Memphis, Tennessee. The gym's spa and pool are now closed pending an investigation by the Shelby County Health Department. Legionnaires' disease, a form of pneumonia, is caused by breathing in water mist contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Anyone who was at the 24 Hour Fitness on Ridgeway Road in the last 2 weeks should watch for symptoms of Legionnaires' disease, including cough, fever, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea. This is a severe illness that is often fatal. and his Bad Bug Law Team have handled many cases like these for outbreak victims and their families. "This is an aggressive form of pneumonia that requires prompt medical attention to prevent death," … [Read more...]
Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak at Pittsburgh VA Hospital
During 2011 and most of 2012, there was a Legionnaires' Disease (LD) outbreak at the Pittsburgh Veterans Administration hospital. Most news outlets did not report this outbreak, mainly because the VA Hospital did not report all of the cases to the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS), even though Legionnaires' is a notifiable disease. In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Health did not analyze hospital-acquired infections to look for outbreaks until the middle of last year. During the outbreak, 21 patients were sickened, and five people died. About 40% of those who acquire this illness die. Legionnaires' Disease first came to public attention in 1976, when an outbreak at an American Legion convention sickened 14 people and killed 6. At that time, panic swept … [Read more...]
Contaminated Water at Oakland VA Hospital Possible Cause of Legionnaires’ Disease Death in Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania veteran, John McChesney, has died from Legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila bacteria. His death may be connected to the outbreak of the illness linked to the University Drive VA hospital in Oakland, PA, part of the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System. He died on October 23, 2012. “The VA needs to be held accountable for the illnesses and deaths caused by contaminated water at the Oakland VA hospital,” said Fred Pritzker, an attorney who recently won $3,000,000 for a family whose loved one died of Legionnaires’ disease. “I have handled many of these cases, and in every one proven that the illnesses could have been prevented. That certainly appears to be the true in this outbreak. There is evidence that the water purification system at … [Read more...]
