DELAWARE, Oh. – Delaware General Health District is currently investigating a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ Disease recently contracted by a resident at Country-View of Sunbury nursing home.
The Delaware General Health District’s environmental health division staff and certified plumbing inspector have visited the site to identify possible sources of exposures to bacteria, conducting environmental sampling for Legionella, and recommending environmental remediation strategies to prevent further transmission. The Health District is working with Country-View of Sunbury to identify additional residents for testing.
Country-View of Sunbury is in cooperation with the Health District, and both the facility and Health District have worked jointly with Ohio Department of Health in this investigation. The facility has implemented recommended water use restrictions to reduce exposure while showering, washing hands, etc. They include minimizing exposure to aerosols, such as faucets and showerheads immediately.
Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium. Although Legionella can live in fresh water, it’s often associated with large or complex water systems that are usually found in hospitals, nursing homes or hotels. Legionnaires’ Disease cannot be obtained from another person. It can only be contracted by breathing in small water droplets that contain Legionella from sources such as hot tubs or showers. Investigations into Legionnaires’ disease are complex, and often difficult to determine the origin of the bacteria.
Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches.
Last Updated on July 3, 2019