Latest news with #AvaniSheth
CBS News
4 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
Legionella bacteria found in water system of Dearborn senior living facility
Local health officials in Wayne County, Michigan, have confirmed the presence of Legionella pneumonia, also known as Legionnaires' disease, at a senior living facility in Dearborn. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that is sometimes fatal. The common signs include fever, cough, headache, chest pain and shortness of breath. The Wayne County Health, Human, and Veterans Services said Monday it is actively working with Allegria Village and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on the case. As part of the investigation into cases of Legionnaires' disease "among residents of Allegria Village," said the statement attributed to Avani Sheth, MD, MPH, the chief medical officer and division director of clinical care services. "Testing of the affected area's water system has detected the presence of Legionella bacteria, the organism that causes Legionnaires' disease." Health officials said they are working with Allegria Village on response steps that include disinfection and remediation of affected areas, alternative water sources where deemed appropriate and explaining symptoms of the disease to residents and staff. Cases of Legionnaire's disease have been on the increase during the past 20 years, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. It's not usually transmitted person to person, and healthy people typically do not get sick after infection. But the bacteria can settle into inside plumbing systems in larger buildings, the Wayne County health officials explained. People who are most at risk of exposure include adults over age 50, smokers and those who have chronic lung conditions. It can take five or six days, sometimes as much as 26 days, for someone infected with Legionnaires' disease to show symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. CBS News Detroit has reached out to Allegria Village for comment.
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Deadly lung disease outbreak spreads from New York City
Health officials in Michigan are sounding the alarm over the spread of Legionnaires' disease after two people died of the infection this summer. Wayne County officials confirmed that both people were living in Allegria Village, a continuing care retirement community in Dearborn, Michigan when they contracted the infection in June and July. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reportedly said that both patients had tested positive for Legionnaires' disease Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation, and complications from the disease can be fatal. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella that is primarily spread through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets or aerosols. These contaminated droplets can be released from various water sources, including cooling towers, hot tubs, showers and decorative fountains. No details about the deceased individuals in Michigan, including their names, ages or genders, have been shared by the retirement home or officials. Health officials in New York are also contending with a possible Legionnaires' outbreak. The New York City Health Department issued a warning after eight cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed in Central Harlem this week. According to ABC7, both of the affected Allegria Village residents were living in two separate units and had moved into the facility recently. Avani Sheth, chief medical officer of HHVS, said of the 2025 cases: 'Wayne County Health, Human, and Veterans Services was recently notified of cases of Legionella pneumonia (Legionnaires' disease) among residents of Allegria Village in Dearborn, Michigan.' An investigation into the spread of the disease is currently being conducted in Wayne County by HHVS officials. Sheth noted that the investigation is in its early stages with the goal to ensure a safe and healthy living environment for residents and staff. The disease is not spread by drinking or swimming in water, except in the instance of water accidentally getting into the lungs instead of the stomach. Early symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, headache, lethargy, muscle pain and diarrhea. The severity can range from a mild cough to fatal pneumonia, and treating infection early with antibiotics is key for survival. Most healthy individuals do not become infected after exposure to Legionella, however, people most at risk include adults over 50, smokers and those with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions. The disease is treated with antibiotics including azithromycin, fluoroquinolones (like levofloxacin or moxifloxacin), and sometimes doxycycline or rifampin. The CDC reports that cases of Legionnaires' disease have been increasing since the early 2000s and hit a peak in 2018 with 9,933 confirmed cases. Due to reporting discrepancies and various databases, data on the number of legionnaires' cases and deaths is fragmented and varies. However, according to the CDC's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDS), from 2000 through 2019, a total of 82,352 confirmed Legionnaires' disease cases were reported from 52 US jurisdictions. About one in 10 people who become sick will die. The odds of death are higher when the disease is contracted in a hospital setting, with at least one in four dying. The most reliable way to determine if your water is contaminated with Legionella is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. Home testing kits are also available, which involve collecting water samples and sending them to a lab for analysis. Earlier this year, one person died and several were hospitalized due to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at a senior living facility in Vermont. It originated from the care home's water system. In general, the CDC reports that cases of Legionnaires' disease have been increasing since the early 2000s, with a peak in 2018 Legionella can colonize and grow within complex communities of microorganisms called biofilms that form on surfaces within water systems. Once there, the bacteria seeps into the water and becomes aerosolized. Plumbing systems, especially those associated with warm water, such as hot water tanks and distribution pipes, can also serve as reservoirs for Legionella bacteria to multiply. From there it can contaminate water in pipes. Stagnant or low-flow areas in pipes also foster Legionella growth. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella. Around 500 people in the UK and 6,100 in the US suffer every year. The condition can cause life-threatening complications, including respiratory failure, kidney failure and septic shock, which occurs when blood flow to the vital organs is blocked. Most sufferers become ill by inhaling tiny water droplets from infected sources, such as shower heads, hot tubs, swimming pools or ventilation systems in buildings. Anyone can become infected, however, at-risk people include the elderly, smokers and those with suppressed immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients. Symptoms usually develop between two and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Early signs include: Headache Muscle Pain Fever and chills People may then experience: Cough, which may bring up blood Breathlessness Chest pain Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Confusion Treatment is antibiotics, usually in hospital, as soon as possible. Prevention involves meticulous cleaning and disinfection of water systems. People can reduce their risk by not smoking as this damages the lungs and makes individuals more susceptible.
