Alexandria Hospital investigating cases of legionnaires



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In order to determine the possible source of the infections, Alomere Health hired an independent environmental consultant, on the recommendation of the health department, which has expertise in reviewing reports of the disease.

Legionellosis is a very serious type of pneumonia caused by a bacterium called Legionella. Legionella becomes a health problem when small droplets of water containing the bacteria enter the air and people inhale them. People do not transmit Legionnaires' disease to other people.

Most people exposed to Legionella do not develop Legionnaires' disease. People at increased risk include people over the age of 50, smokers or certain medical conditions, including a weakened immune system, and those with diabetes, chronic lung disease or other chronic conditions.

Fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, chills, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and cough are some of the symptoms of Legionella bacteria. If you develop these symptoms or have pneumonia and may have been exposed to Legionella, seek immediate medical attention, especially if you have stayed at Alomere for the last two weeks.

In the first case of legionnaires in Alomere, the person contracted the bacterial infection at the end of November and then re-established. The patient in the second case developed symptoms at the end of January and remains hospitalized.

MDH and Alomere are working together to identify potential sources of Legionella bacteria.

The water supply of the Municipality of Alexandria complies with water quality standards. MDH has asked health care providers in Alexandria to monitor the presence of patients with symptoms that may indicate legionnaires' disease. Legionellosis is a bacterial pneumonia that can be serious. Rapid diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are therefore important, according to health officials.

By 2018, Minnesota had more than 150 cases reported throughout the state.

Legionellosis takes its name from a home appeared at a July 1976 convention held at a Philadelphia hotel during the US Legion Convention in Pennsylvania. .

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