Sickened in Covenant Living Legionnaires outbreak? Call (612) 337-6126 and speak with Legionnaires lawyer
Elliot Olsen is a nationally prominent Legionnaires lawyer who has regained millions for his clients. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires’ disease at Covenant Living in Batavia, Illinois, you might have cause to file a Legionnaires lawsuit. Please call Elliot at (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.
Four more cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been confirmed at Covenant Living at the Holmstad in Batavia, Illinois, increasing the number of residents sickened in the outbreak to eight.
Four residents of the senior living community (700 West Fabyan Parkway) were hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease in August.
“Two cases were reported to us this week; we received word of an early-onset case from mid-August, and an additional case reported this past Saturday,” Barbara Jeffers, executive director of the Kane County Health Department (KCHD), was quoted in a news release. “We are working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Covenant Living to monitor this situation.”
In 2018, Illinois reported 512 cases of Legionnaires’ disease statewide. So far, there have been 251 confirmed illnesses this year.
Officials confirmed four more Legionnaires’ disease cases among the seniors at Covenant Living in Batavia, Illinois, increasing the number of residents sickened in the outbreak to eight.
Covenant Living outbreak:
Legionella search is on
Health officials still are searching for the source of the Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease.
“Water testing results are still pending with IDPH to determine if there is a source of Legionella bacteria on the Holmstad campus,” Covenant Living executive director Amanda Gosnell said in the release. “However, because the safety of our residents, guests, and employees is our top priority, we have proactively and aggressively moved forward with several of the measures that could potentially be advised in the event of a positive result.
“We continue to collaborate closely with water management experts and state and Kane County health departments and are following all recommendations; under their advisement, we continue to welcome visitors and maintain regular operations.”
More information about Legionnaires’ disease and updates on the outbreak can be found at KaneHealth.com/Pages/Menu-Disease.aspx.
Covenant Living outbreak:
Disease difficult to diagnose
Officials are advising that residents, employees, and visitors to Covenant Living who are feeling flu- or pneumonia-like symptoms see their health-care provider immediately. Symptoms generally develop two to 10 days after exposure to Legionella, and usually begin with the following:
- severe headaches
- muscle aches
- fever (which can be 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) and chills.
By Day 2 or 3, symptoms often worsen to include:
- coughing, which can produce mucus or blood
- shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- chest pains (pleurisy or pleuritic chest pains)
- gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
- confusion and other mental changes.
Anyone can contract Legionnaires’ disease, but people with the most significant risk of infection include:
- senior citizens (anyone 50 years old or older)
- smokers (current or former)
- anyone with a chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD, most commonly emphysema or bronchitis)
- anyone with a compromised immune system
- alcoholics.
Covenant Living outbreak:
Warm water is problematic
About 25,000 cases of pneumonia due to Legionella bacteria (scientific name: Legionella pneumophila) occur in the U.S. yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because of the disease’s vague symptoms, however, only 5,000 cases are reported.
A person contracts Legionella bacteria by inhaling microscopic water droplets (vapor or mist). The bacteria thrive in warm water, and they are found primarily in human-made environments, including but not limited to:
- water systems of large buildings (nursing homes, hospitals, hotels, etc.)
- large plumbing systems
- swimming pools, whirlpools, hot tubs
- physical-therapy equipment
- hot-water heaters and tanks
- bathroom showers and faucets
- air-conditioning system cooling towers
- decorative fountains.
Covenant Living outbreak:
Complications are numerous
Hospitalization is almost always required after a diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease and in the most severe cases, complications* can occur, such as:
- endocarditis, which isan infection of the heart’s inner lining that can affect its ability to maintain adequate blood flow through the body.
- kidney failure, which occurs when Legionella toxins damage the kidneys’ ability to eliminate waste from the blood.
- pericarditis, which is a swelling of the pericardium, the primary membrane around the heart. This also can affect the heart’s ability to circulate blood throughout the body.
- respiratory failure, which is caused by changes to the lung tissue, or oxygen loss in the arteries that supply the lungs.
- septic shock, which can occur when Legionella toxins enter the bloodstream and cause a drop in blood pressure, leading to the loss of adequate blood supply to the organs.
* Note: About 10 percent of people infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die because of complications from the illness.
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