Tag

Legionella

All articles tagged with #legionella

East Village Haven Plaza Faces Legionnaires’ Disease Advisory After Two Cases
health5 days ago

East Village Haven Plaza Faces Legionnaires’ Disease Advisory After Two Cases

Health officials issued a precautionary advisory for Haven Plaza tenants in the East Village after two residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease within the last year; water-system testing is underway and residents are advised to limit exposure to water vapor (e.g., avoid showers) while investigators assess the building’s water system, with management retaining a water-systems consultant and results to be reported to the NYC Health Department.

Pittsburgh VA Reports Two Legionella Cases Amid Ongoing Water-Safety Measures
health13 days ago

Pittsburgh VA Reports Two Legionella Cases Amid Ongoing Water-Safety Measures

Two patients at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center tested positive for Legionella, prompting flushing, testing, and water-line precautions after a past 2011–2012 outbreak. The Allegheny County Health Department has not been notified, and testing positive for Legionella does not automatically mean Legionnaires’ disease. The hospital says care was not interrupted and it’s operating normally, while a prior VA Inspector General report found earlier lapses in water treatment and adherence to guidance, with recommendations implemented subsequently.

Kaiser Santa Clara Reports 18 Legionella Infections Linked to Water System
health19 days ago

Kaiser Santa Clara Reports 18 Legionella Infections Linked to Water System

Santa Clara County Public Health is investigating an outbreak of Legionella at Kaiser Permanente’s Santa Clara Medical Center, with at least 18 people infected. Legionella grows in large, complex plumbing and is spread by inhaling water droplets. The source has not yet been located; Kaiser is implementing additional water-treatment and preventive measures and says hospital operations continue normally. Health officials say the overall risk to the broader community is low, though Legionnaires’ disease can cause pneumonia, particularly in older adults or immunocompromised individuals; treatment is with antibiotics and most patients recover.

NC confronts rising Legionnaires' disease; here's how to stay safe
health1 month ago

NC confronts rising Legionnaires' disease; here's how to stay safe

North Carolina reports a rise in Legionnaires' disease, with 310 cases in 2025 (up from 201 in 2024). The illness is caused by Legionella bacteria in water systems and spreads through inhaled mist, not person-to-person; most healthy people aren’t affected, but adults 50+, smokers, and those with chronic conditions are at higher risk. Prevention emphasizes maintaining water systems in homes and commercial buildings: flush unused taps, maintain hot tubs and water-using equipment, replace filters, drain hoses, and use proper disinfectant levels and temperatures, especially in facilities with cooling towers and healthcare settings.

NC Warns of Legionnaires' Disease Spike, Urges Water-System Precautions
health1 month ago

NC Warns of Legionnaires' Disease Spike, Urges Water-System Precautions

North Carolina health officials warn of a rise in Legionnaires' disease cases, a severe pneumonia caused by Legionella, with cases up by over 100 from 2024 to 2025. Symptoms can include fever, headache, cough, shortness of breath, and confusion. Prevention centers on monitoring and disinfecting water systems, including flushing unused taps, maintaining hot tubs, cleaning humidifiers and CPAP equipment, and following manufacturers' guidance.

Lawsuit links Legionella exposure at Las Vegas hotels to guest’s death
health3 months ago

Lawsuit links Legionella exposure at Las Vegas hotels to guest’s death

The estate of Gary Curtis Jones filed a wrongful-death and survival lawsuit in Clark County District Court against The Grandview at Las Vegas and South Point casino-hotel and their owners, alleging negligence after Jones, an Alabama business traveler, contracted Legionnaires’ disease during a March 2023 Las Vegas trip and died on April 2, 2023. The suit describes fatigue and respiratory failure before his hospitalization for sepsis and attributes his death to the infection. Investigations reportedly found Legionella in the South Point water system and cited prior positive tests at both properties; Grandview denied Jones stayed there during the incubation period, a claim SNHD reportedly verified. The plaintiffs seek a jury trial and damages for wrongful death and related claims.

Legionella positive in Atlanta VA patient prompts cleaning and monitoring
health3 months ago

Legionella positive in Atlanta VA patient prompts cleaning and monitoring

An immunocompromised patient at the Atlanta VA Health Care System died after testing positive for Legionella. The facility sampled the patient’s room and a nearby ice machine; routine water-system testing on the seventh floor had been negative for two years. Other patients were relocated, the area disinfected, and investigators consulted federal health agencies. There are no active Legionella cases reported at the facility.

Second Death at NJ Hospital Linked to Legionella Outbreak
health5 months ago

Second Death at NJ Hospital Linked to Legionella Outbreak

Two patients have died at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, after contracting Legionnaires' disease from the hospital's water system, which was found to contain Legionella bacteria. The hospital has taken extensive measures to disinfect the water system and is monitoring the situation, with no additional cases reported. The incident highlights ongoing risks of Legionella in healthcare settings, especially for vulnerable populations.

Second Legionella Patient Dies at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson
health5 months ago

Second Legionella Patient Dies at St. Joseph's Hospital in Paterson

A second patient at St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson, NJ, who tested positive for Legionella bacteria, has died. The hospital's water system was found to be contaminated with Legionella, prompting an investigation and water treatment. The incident has raised concerns about hospital water safety and Legionnaires' disease risks, especially for patients with underlying health conditions.

Can Air Conditioning Cause Illness? A Microbiologist's Perspective
health9 months ago

Can Air Conditioning Cause Illness? A Microbiologist's Perspective

Improperly maintained air conditioning systems can harbor bacteria, fungi, and viruses, leading to health issues like sick building syndrome, Legionnaires' disease, and fungal or viral infections. Regular cleaning and proper maintenance of AC units are essential to reduce these risks and prevent the spread of airborne infections, including COVID.