See updated information: Citrus Systems, Inc. Linked to Legionnaires Disease in Hopkins, MN.
Our law firm is helping people sickened in the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Hopkins, Minnesota. There are at least 12 confirmed cases with exposure in the Hopkins area. We have reason to believe this number is higher. You can contact a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer at our Minneapolis law firm for a free consultation. (September 30 update: There are now 23 people sickened in the outbreak.)
Possible Sources in Hopkins, MN
Health investigators are looking at Hopkins business locations as possible sources of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak that has sickened at least 9 people. Locations involved in the Minnesota Health Department investigation include the Supervalu warehouse, the Thermotech plastic injection facility and a decorative fountain owned by Cargill, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). These are all located in an area near the intersection of Highway 169 and Excelsior Boulevard. These are just three of the potential sources of Legionella that MDH has identified. Health officials have identified other sources that are also being investigated. All of the people sickened live or work within a 2-mile radius of the possible sources.
Because Legionnaires’ disease is caused by breathing in water mist contaminated with Legionella bacteria, water at all suspected locations is being tested for the presence of Legionella.
The first person sickened in the outbreak had onset of illness in early August. The most recent onset of illness date was last week. Most of the nine people sickened were hospitalized, and some are still hospitalized.
The age range of people sickened is from the 20s to 90s.
Our law firm has heard from people who may be part of this outbreak but are not yet confirmed cases. Because of this and the long incubation period for Legionnaires’ disease (2-10 days), we expect to see additional confirmed cases.
When someone is diagnosed with pneumonia, doctors do not always test for the presence of Legionella in the lungs. If you or someone you love was in Hopkins prior to the pneumonia diagnosis, you should ask that Legionella testing be done. Our lawyers are available to discuss this with you.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease, also called legionellosis, is a severe form of pneumonia spread by breathing in water mist containing the bacterium Legionella. It is not spread by human contact. Outbreaks are commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems that have become contaminated with Legionella.
In Minnesota, about 50 to 60 people a year get Legionnaires’ disease, also referred to as Legionella pneumonia. Most of these cases do not involve clusters of confirmed illnesses, called outbreaks. When there is not a cluster of connected illnesses, the health department may not investigate. This outbreak in Hopkins has hospitalized at least 6 people with severe, preventable pneumonia. It is extremely important that the outbreak be thoroughly investigated and the source found.
Our Minnesota Lawyers Can Help You
Our Legionnaires’ disease lawyers are some of the few in the nation who have won multimillion-dollar recoveries for people with Legionella pneumonia. Our offices are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can contact our law firm for a free consultation with a lawyer. We recommend you use our free consultation form (click here) because our lawyers read every one and generally respond very quickly, even at night and on weekends. You can also call our firm at 612-338-0202 and ask for one of our lead lawyers for these cases, Fred Pritzker or Eric Hageman.