A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at Covenant Living at the Holmstad in Batavia, IL has sickened four people. Four people have been hospitalized, according to local media reports.
Contact a Pritzker Hageman Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that is transmitted when water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria is inhaled. Public health officials have conducted tests at the retirement home located on W. Fabyan Pkwy. to try to identify the source of the contamination.
Legionella bacteria exist in nature but grow best inside complex water systems in large commercial, residential and health care settings. The graphic below, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), illustrates how the bacteria is transmitted.
Overgrowth of Legionella is a known risk for large commercial, residential and health care facilities. So, it’s crucial that owners and property managers have good water management plans in place.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include high fever, cough, shortness of breath, headaches and muscle aches. These usually develop within two weeks of exposure.
Some people are at elevated risk of contracting a Legionella infection. They include people over 50, people who smoke or used to smoke and people with weakened immune systems. Almost everyone who contracts Legionnaires’ disease needs hospitalization. About 20 percent of all cases are fatal.
If you or a loved one are part of this outbreak, contact our Legionnaires’ disease attorneys for a free consultation. You can reach us by calling 1(888) 377-8900 (toll-free), sending a text to 612-261-0856 or using the form below.