Legionella E-news -- 30 March 2006
Legionella E-news, 30
March 2006
HC Information Resources Inc.
Matthew R. Freije, Editor
**IN THIS ISSUE**
1. Ten LD Cases in Sydney
2. Two Cases among Illinois Hotel Guests
3. One Death at NY Hospital
4. Two Cases in Ohio Nursing Home Residents
5. Roof Collection Systems Investigated in NZ Cases
6. Legionella Seminar in Chicago, April 27
7. Legionella Management Plans
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1. TEN LD CASES IN SYDNEY
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Ten cases of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease were identified in
Sydney, New South Wales (Australia) in late February and early March,
one of which resulted in death. Officials focused their investigation on
70 cooling towers in the vicinity of a shopping center that was reported
to be the common link among the cases. Source: news media
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2. TWO CASES AMONG ILLINOIS HOTEL GUESTS
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The Illinois Department of Public Health ordered a hotel in Lincoln to
close and clean its swimming pool and whirlpool spa after two confirmed
cases of Legionnaires' disease were identified in guests who stayed
there in January and February. Both pools tested positive for
Legionella. State health officials phoned more than 800 former hotel
guests, advising them to see their health care provider if they had
symptoms. The hotel ownership changed in mid-February. Sources: WQAD.com;
pantagraph.com
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3. ONE DEATH AT NY HOSPITAL
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Test results received after the death of an elderly patient of a
Schenectady, NY hospital confirmed that the patient had been infected
with Legionella. The patient had been in the hospital for about a month,
indicating that the infection was hospital-acquired, but the hospital’s
infectious disease specialist said that it was not known whether the
death was caused by Legionella or the patient’s underlying illness. The
hospital responded by superheating the domestic hot water.
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4. TWO CASES IN OHIO NURSING HOME RESIDENTS
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Two female residents of a nursing home in Northwest Ohio were diagnosed
with Legionnaires' disease. The cases were reported to the Ottawa County
Health Department on February 23. As of March 11, one of the women was
still in the hospital and the other had been released. Four other
residents showed symptoms but tested negative for Legionella. All 35
assisted-living residents were temporarily relocated. The facility has
hired a consultant to try to pinpoint a possible source of
contamination. Sources: 13abc.com; toledoblade.com
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5. ROOF COLLECTION SYSTEMS INVESTIGATED IN NZ CASES
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Based on water test results, investigators think that roof-collected
water systems in the Beachlands area (Manukau City, Auckland, New
Zealand) may be to blame for two confirmed cases of Legionnaires'
disease that occurred in March, one of which resulted in death. Test
results for two other cases are pending. Beachlands households get water
from roof catching systems and delivery tankers. Health officials
advised the residents to empty their roof water tanks every six months,
chlorinate the water once the tank was refilled, and maintain at least
60 degrees Celsius in water heaters, but some residents prefer the taste
of untreated roof tank water. Source: Times newspapers, Auckland
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6. LEGIONELLA SEMINAR IN CHICAGO, APRIL 27
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Please join us for the training course “Legionella and Other Waterborne
Pathogens: Minimizing Risk in Building Water Systems,” Thursday, April
27, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
The course will cover the latest recommendations and technologies for
minimizing the risk of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in
hospitals, hotels, and office buildings. Many of the principles apply to
industrial facilities also. The tuition of $445. Details are posted at
http://hcinfo.com/seminar3.htm.
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7. LEGIONELLA MANAGEMENT PLANS
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For hospitals: http://hcinfo.com/318info.htm
For nursing Homes and Senior Living Facilities: http://hcinfo.com/319info.htm
For hotels: http://hcinfo.com/320info.htm
The management plans read like an in-house policy manual. Each is
available in print (softcover) or on a CD for US$149 plus shipping, or
can be downloaded at www.hcinfo.com for $119.
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(c) Copyright 2006, HC
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