An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at Mount Carmel East hospital in Columbus, OH has sickened three people. The hospital is working with state and local health officials to determine the source of the problem and has implemented water restrictions.
Contact the Pritzker Hageman Legionnaires’ Team
Phone: 1-888-377-8900 | Text: 1-612-261-0856
Contact a Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyer
Legionnaires’ disease is transmitted when water vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria is inhaled. Although it is found in nature, Legionella grows best in man-made plumbing systems where the water is warm, stagnant. That’s why hotels, hospitals, cruise ships and long-term health care facilities are the most common locations for outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease.
Because the risk of Legionella overgrowth in the complex water systems of large buildings is well-known, owners and operators are supposed to have a water management plan in place. It is not clear if Mount Carmel in Columbus had such a plan. But this is not the first Mount Carmel location where Legionella bacteria has been discovered.
In June, a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Mount Carmel hospital in Grove City, OH sickened 16 people, killing one of them. And in August Legionella was discovered in the Mount Carmel College of Nursing.
The Legionnaires’ disease lawyers at Pritzker Hageman represent people who have been sickened by Legionella bacteria. If you or a loved one are part of this outbreak, call us for a free consultation at 1(888) 377-8900 (toll-free), text 612-261-0856 or use the form below.
UPDATE: This post was updated on November 1, 2019 to include a third illness.
