Chicago area hospital possibly linked to legionella cases

By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews

Health officials in Illinois report investigating two cases of Legionnaires' disease in patients who were both patients at Rush Oak Park Hospital, one in May and the other in mid-July.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said that these people were patients in the hospital for a portion of the time they might have been exposed to the bacteria.

IDPH is working with the Oak Park Public Health Department and the hospital to gather information and further investigate these cases. IDPH was on site this week to sample the water from the facility. Previous water samples collected by the hospital showed positive results Legionella bacteria.

The hospital informed public health officials that it routinely conducted water testing and had already taken steps to reduce potential exposure, such as adding disinfectant to the water, flushing the pipes and the installation of filters at the point of use. The institution also monitors other potential cases and ensures that tests and clinical management of patients are appropriate.

Legionella Bacteria are naturally present in the environment. Water containing Legionella can be aerosolized through cooling towers, showers, hot tubs and decorative fountains and can cause Legionnaires' disease, a serious lung infection (pneumonia) when inhaled. Legionnaires' disease is not transmitted from person to person. Epidemics are typically badociated with buildings or structures with complex water systems such as hotels, hospitals, long-term care facilities and cruise ships. Bacteria can become a health problem when they grow and spread in artificial water systems, such as hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, water systems, and water systems. large plumbing and decorative fountains. Most healthy people do not contract Legionnaires' disease after being exposed to Legionella bacteria.