The Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at Covenant Living at the Holmstad in Batavia, IL has expanded to include four more cases this week, bringing the current total to eight. The senior living community has put water restrictions in place to reduce the aerosolization of water as Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is spread when contaminated water vapor is inhaled.
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“People over 50, people who are frail and people with weakened immune systems are among those at highest risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease, which is why an outbreak in a senior living community is of such concern,” said Legionnaires’ Disease Attorney Fred Pritzker. Outbreaks, he said, are completely preventable if a good water management plan is in place.
County and state health officials are working together to find the source of contamination at the senior living community located at 700 W. Fabyan Parkway. Legionella bacteria exist in nature but grow best inside complex plumbing systems. Test results from samples taken from various locations around Holmstad are still pending.
In the meantime, Covenant Living has put water restrictions in place including:
- Restricted shower usage
- Removal of aerators from all faucets
- Recommending a pencil-sized stream of water
- Suspending the use of hoses, sprayers, etc.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include high fever, headache, muscle aches, cough and shortness of breath. These usually develop within two weeks of exposure. Almost everyone who contracts Legionnaires’ disease requires hospitalization and about 20 percent of 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.