A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak has been identified among patients at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton, OH. The outbreak includes at least two people.
Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. People get this severe form of pneumonia when they inhale water vapor that is contaminated with Legionella. Although this bacteria is found in nature, it grows best in the warm water of manmade structures such as fountains, hot tubs, cooling towers, and the plumbing systems of large commercial buildings.
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Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Legionnaires’ Outbreak
Investigators have determined that Canton’s municipal water supply is not affected. The hospital is working with city and state health officials to determine the precise source of the contamination. It is “treating the water system, installing filters on faucets, and using bottled water where appropriate,” according to a joint statement from Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and Canton City Public Health.
In response to the outbreak, Cleveland Clinic has issued the following statement –
“Canton City Public Health and Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital are working closely to ensure the safety of the hospital’s water systems after two patients tested positive for the bacteria that causes Legionellosis following hospital stays.
It has not been confirmed where the Legionella exposures occurred. This does not pose a risk to the community, and it does not affect the water supply of the City of Canton. Legionella is a common bacteria found in the environment, and in water systems, especially hot water systems. Some species of Legionella bacteria can cause illness.
Together, Mercy, Canton City Public Health, and the Ohio Department of Health, are working through a response plan that began Feb. 7. The hospital is proactively treating the water system, installing filters on faucets and using bottled water where appropriate. The safety of caregivers and patients is Mercy’s top priority, and the hospital remains open for care.”
Symptoms of a Legionnaires’ Disease Infection
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease usually develop within two to 14 days of exposure. They include fever, cough, headache, and muscle aches. Most people with Legionnaires’ disease require hospitalization, about 10 percent of cases are fatal.
Some people are at elevated risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease.
- People over 50
- Current or former smokers
- People with chronic lung disease
- People with weak immune systems
- People with cancer, diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure
Experienced Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyers
Our Legionnaires’ lawyers are among the few in the nation who have won multimillion-dollar recoveries for Legionnaires’ disease outbreak victims and their families. To request your free consultation with our experienced Legionnaires’ Team, call us at 1-888-377-8900, text us at 612-261-0856, or use the form below.
We have obtained 100+ separate verdicts and settlements greater than $1 million:
We obtained this result on behalf of three people sickened in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a resort hotel.
We obtained this settlement on behalf of six people impacted by a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak linked to a hotel hot tub.
Our client contracted Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel and was hospitalized for eight weeks.
We obtained this settlement on behalf of the family of a woman who died after contracting Legionnaires’ Disease.
Our client contracted Legionnaires’ disease at a hotel and was hospitalized for over a month
We obtained this settlement for a woman sickened with Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed in a hotel hot tub.
We obtained this settlement for the family of a 52-year old man who died of Legionnaires’ disease linked to a hotel.
We recovered this settlement for the family of a 50-year old man who died of Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to legionella bacteria at a hotel.
Collected on behalf of the family of a man who died as a result of Legionnaires’ Disease contracted while staying at a Wisconsin resort.
See more settlements & verdicts.