Legionnaires' Disease Causes Third Death in Veterans' Home

Legionnaires' disease causes third death in Veterans home

Numerous people have died in separate reports of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in Illinois and San Quentin State Prison north of San Francisco.According to the Chicago Tribune:The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting a third death from Legionnaires' disease after an outbreak at a western Illinois veterans' home.The new case increases the number of residents contaminated at the Quincy veterans' home to 29. An agency spokeswoman confirmed the recent fatality to The Associated Press on Monday.Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia, with lung inflammation usually caused by infection. Most people get it from inhaling the Legionella bacteria, which is not transmitted from person to person.The outbreak was first reported last week. Tests to determine the source of the outbreak continue.Additionally, there is another outbreak of the disease in San Quentin State Prison. According to NBC Bay Area:

Six inmates at San Quentin State Prison have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease as of Sunday, officials said.

An inmate was diagnosed Wednesday with the severe type of pneumonia, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials said. By Sunday, there were six confirmed cases with five inmates being treated at an "outside hospital," officials said in a news release.

An additional 51 inmates are under observation for respiratory illness but have so far not been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, according to the release.

Officials with the Marin County Public Health Department, California Correctional Health Care Services and CDCR continue to investigate the source of the disease, officials said. Visiting time for prisoner's family members has also been halted, they added.

Read the rest at NBC Bay Area.To learn more about the disease check out Philly.com.[mwi-cat-listing cat="94" ppp="4" cols="4" desc="false" type="view" btn_color="black" ]