Healthcare Facility Reports A Case Of Legionnaires’ Disease

A Clay County senior living facility reports at least one case of Legionnaires’ Disease.

Clay County Health Department officials confirm they are working with the Indiana Department of Health and Hutsonwood at

Brazil during an ongoing investigation into at least one known case of the disease.

WHAT IS IT?

Legionnaires’ disease, or Pontiac fever, is a form of pneumonia caused by bacteria found in “shared water systems. “Common examples include fountains, showers, centralized air conditioners, and high-temperature pools or hot tubs.

According to the CDC, the bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems like:

Shower heads and sink faucets,

Hot tubs,

Decorative fountains and water features,

Hot water tanks and heaters,

Large, complex plumbing systems and

Cooling towers.

The bacteria that causes the disease is known as Legionella. It infects people when they inhale tiny water droplets from impacted systems, which is the most common way people get sick.

WHO GETS SICK?

Most healthy people exposed to Legionella don’t get sick, but those at increased risk of getting sick include:

Current or former smokers

People 50 years or older

COMMON SOURCES

Outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease are often associated with large or complex water systems, like those found in hospitals, hotels, and cruise ships.

People with the following health conditions are at increased risk of getting sick if exposed to Legionella:

Cancer

Chronic lung disease

Diabetes

Kidney failure

Liver failure

Weakened immune systems

WHY IT SPREADS?

According to the CDC, Legionella bacteria occur naturally in freshwater environments like lakes and streams. Low levels of these bacteria in freshwater don’t generally lead to disease.

However, many things can make it easier for Legionella to grow in water in manufactured building water systems. A few of those factors include:

Biofilm (slime that provides a place for germs to grow)

Certain temperatures

Not having enough disinfectant

Slow or no water movement

SERIOUS DISEASE? 

Legionnaires’ disease is treatable with antibiotics that kill bacteria in the body, but most people who get sick need care in a hospital. While most of these people will make a full recovery, about one out of 10 people who get Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.

PNEUMONIA SYMPTOMS SIGNS &

SYMPTOMS OF LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE

Cough 

Muscle aches 

Fever

Shortness of breath 

Headache

According to the CDC, doctors normally use chest X-rays or physical exams to check for pneumonia. If you believe you might have come in contact with “Legionella,” a doctor may also order tests on a urine and sputum (phlegm) sample to see if your Legionella causes lung infection.

If you develop pneumonia symptoms and may have been exposed to Legionella, see a doctor right away. Be sure to mention if you have used a hot tub, spent any nights away from home, or stayed in a hospital in the last two weeks.

Officials at the Clay County Health Department said this is not a public health concern st this time.

UPDATE: WEST NILE VIRUS

According to officials at the Clay County Health Department(CCHD) on Friday, only mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus(WNV), no humans in Clay County have tested positive.

While many counties around and including Clay County have tested positive mosquito pools, Clay County has yet to determine a positive human case.

However, West Nile Virus is an American epidemic that occurs annually between Spring and Fall.

The CCHD works throughout the year to minimize the potential, with events like Tire Take Back, and monitoring programs done with the Indiana Department of Health.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

Most people ( over 80%) who contract WNV will not experience any symptoms.

No WNV vaccines are licensed for use in humans.

Prevention of WNV disease depends on community-level mosquito control programs, and personal protective measures,

Wear products containing DEET, and wear protective clothing as possible when in areas home to mosquitoes.

Ensure there are no areas of standing water- such as buckets or old tires- where mosquitoes could breed.