After the outbreak in New York City which claimed 12 lives and affected more than 100 people, Legionnaire's disease is now also inflicting Illinois Veteran Homes.
The deadly airborne bacteria has already taken seven lives in the veteran home, and according to Dr. Nirav Shah, Illinois' public health director, the death toll may still rise, "Unfortunately, we expect to see additional cases and possibly additional deaths because the incubation period for Legionnaires' disease can be up to two weeks."
The outbreak was first recognized in Illinois late last week after an initial case at the home in early August; its source remains unknown.
Legionnaires' disease is mostly acquired through inhaling bacteria that lives in warm water. People can get sick if they breathe in mist or vapor from contaminated water systems.
According to Alan Scher Zagier of Associated Press, Residents of the veterans' home are relying on bottled water and sponge baths as a precaution. The facility has cleaned its hot water tanks and air conditioning system, and has shut down decorative and drinking water fountains and other potential sources of aerosolized water.
As of Wednesday, 45 people have been reported to have Legionnaire's disease in the said facility. The veteran home has a little more than 400 residence.
Ryan Yantis, a Department of Veterans Affairs spokesman, said that those who exhibit symptoms - such as breathing difficulties, coughing, fever and muscle aches - are monitored closely, and infected patients are treated with antibiotics.
"We are going with an abundance of caution," said Yantis on Tuesday. "Unfortunately, all of these symptoms match normal, run-of-the-mill respiratory illnesses."
Illinois health officials are advising the elderly and those who are sick or with compromised immune systems, including organ transplant recipients, to not visit the home in Quincy. Access is otherwise not restricted, and residents are free to leave the home.
