5 Legionnaires' Cases Confirmed At Senior Living Facility

VERNON HILLS, IL — A senior living facility is enacting several preventative measures after five cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed, according to Lake County health officials. The Lake County Health Department is continuing to investigate the Legionnaires' disease outbreak at the Brookdale Senior Living Vernon Hills senior living facility, located on Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills.

Earlier this month, health officials confirmed one person died from the disease while at Brookdale.

“Together with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Brookdale staff, we took immediate action to investigate this outbreak and prevent additional exposure to Legionella bacteria at the facility,” said Mark Pfister, Executive Director of the Lake County Health Department. “As a result, preventative measures are in place and no new cases have been reported within the past week.”

Thermal disinfection of the entire water system has been performed and point-of-use filters are being used, according to health officials. In addition, hyperchlorination of the water system is scheduled to take place.

Before full preventative measures were in place, results from the environmental investigation confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in samples collected at the facility on Feb. 5. The bacteria was detected in one apartment, a pool filter, an irrigation system, and a decorative water fountain, according to the Lake County Department of Health.

"Because infection from Legionella occurs when a person inhales water mist or vapor containing the bacteria, water features have been turned off and the facility’s pool and spa have been drained," according to the Thursday news release from the Lake County Department of Health. "These measures will remain in place and will be re-evaluated after additional environmental testing results are received."

According to the health department. Legionnaires' disease is a type of severe pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, and is treatable with antibiotics. The health department added that most people who get sick need to be hospitalized but make a full recovery. However, about 1 out of 10 people who get Legionnaires' disease will die from the infection, according to the news release.

Residents and visitors of the Brookdale Vernon Hills facility who are currently experiencing pneumonia symptoms—cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches, and fever—are encouraged to see a doctor to be tested for Legionnaires’ disease.

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