July 08, 2008
Cases of Legionnaires' Disease in Onondaga County
The Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) reported today that over the past ten days, seven confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in the County. Although the source of this cluster of cases has not been determined, the preliminary investigation has identified that all of the cases were in the Onondaga Hill area, including the Community General Hospital Campus, prior to becoming ill. OCHD and the New York State Health Department are working to determine possible sources of infection. Community General Hospital, which has an aggressive system in place to identify Legionella, has been working with the Departments to assess possible sources on their campus and has already implemented additional control measures.
Legionnaires' Disease is caused by a bacterium (Legionella) that is found naturally in the environment. Although most people who are exposed to the bacteria do not become ill, the bacterium can lead to pneumonia. Water sources most commonly associated with clusters of cases of Legionnaires' Disease are cooling towers, evaporative condensers (both used for air conditioning purposes), and hot water systems. The method of transmission of the disease is airborne, meaning that people become infected by inhaling water droplets that contain Legionella. The disease is not spread from person to person. People who are at greatest risk for becoming infected are people who are over 50 years old, who smoke, who have a chronic lung disease, or whose immune systems are compromised.
The earliest signs and symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include loss of appetite, fatigue, muscle aches, and headache. These are often accompanied by a rapidly increasing fever that can rise up to 102-105° over a 24-hour period. Individuals may also experience a dry cough, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Symptoms generally appear within 2-14 days after exposure to the bacteria. Antibiotics are used to treat the disease. Any individual with symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease should contact their health care provider immediately.
For more information about Legionnaires' Disease, click the links below:
Legionnaires' Disease FAQs
Legionnaires' Disease Flyer
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