Most Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks between 2015 and 2020 occurred in Florida and Illinois, according to a new CDC report. People get Legionnaires’ disease when they inhale water vapor that is contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It is not transmitted through person-to-person contact.
For this study, Surveillance of Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Associated with Drinking Water — United States, 2015–2020, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed 214 drinking water outbreaks. Only about 13 percent of these were linked to contamination from bacteria, chemicals, or an unknown toxin. The remaining 87 percent were associated with biofilms. Of those, 184 were caused by Legionella.
These Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks caused 786 illnesses, 544 hospitalizations, and 86 deaths.
Most Outbreaks Occurred in Florida or Illinois
Of the 184 Legionnaiers’ disease outbreaks that occurred between 2015 and 2020, 54 or 29 percent occurred in Florida. Illinois had the secong-highest total with 29 outbreaks or 16 perecnt.
Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreaks are on the Rise
Researchers noted that Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, the leading cause of outbreaks associated with drinking water, are on the rise, a trend reflected during this study period. The number reported each year was: 2015 (14), 2016 (31), 2017 (30), 2018 (34), 2019 (33) and 2020 (18).
Hospitals, Long-term Care Facilities are the Most Common Setting
Hospitals, long-term care facilities and other health care were the most common setting for Legoinnaires’ diseases outbreaks accounting for 52 percent of outbreaks, 21 percent of cases, 65 percent of hospitalizations and 85 percent of deaths. Hotels were the second-most common setting with 16 percent of outbreaks, 11 perecnt of cases, 15 perecntof hospitalizations, and 3 perecnt of deaths.
Experienced Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyers
The Pritzker Hageman Legionnaires’ Disease lawyers recently won a significant recovery for the family of a woman who died from Legionnaires’ Disease. One of the first steps you should take after being diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease is to consult with an experienced lawyer. For a free consultation with one of our lawyers, please call 612-338-0202, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.