Sick with Legionnaires?
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Elliot Olsen is a nationally known Legionnaires lawyer who has regained millions for clients. If you or a family member contracted Legionnaires at the Waco Family YMCA, you might have cause to file a Legionnaires lawsuit. Please call (612) 337-6126 for a free consultation.
Health authorities in Waco, Texas, are investigating two cases of Legionnaires’ disease connected to the Waco Family YMCA.
“Exposure to the Legionella bacteria may have occurred at the Waco Family YMCA,” read a notice to visitors by Rodney Martin, president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Texas.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia or lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria. The bacteria are contracted by inhaling microscopic water droplets (vapor or mist).
After consultation with the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District (WMCPHD), the facility is remaining open, although officials closed the whirlpool area, which is adjacent to an indoor pool.
“The Waco Family YMCA will remain open to members, guests and program participants, as all other areas of the Y are accessible, including the pool, gym, fitness, group exercise spaces and more,” the organization said in a statement. “The restricted area will not affect the operations of the Y or its ability to serve its guests.”
WMCPHD officials said they believe the two patients contracted the Legionella between Feb. 4 and Feb. 21.
The local health department in Waco, Texas, is investigating two cases of Legionnaires’ disease connected to the Waco Family YMCA.
Waco Family YMCA:
Focus on hot tub
Kelly Craine, public information officer for the WMCPHD, said once the department was notified of the cases, staff members began “working backward” to discover a common denominator between the patients and determine a possible source for the illnesses.
“The hot tub has been closed, and it is the only area that’s been closed,” Craine said. “Because of the mist, you always want to look at the hot tub as a possible suspect.”
Waco Family YMCA:
Beware of symptoms
If you are a member, visitor or employee of the YMCA (6800 Harvey Road), and you used the whirlpool, swam in the pool, or traveled through the whirlpool or pool area this month and are feeling pneumonia- or flu-like symptoms, you should see your health-care provider.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to those of other types of pneumonia and even can resemble influenza (flu), including:
- people on a specific drug protocol, such as corticosteroids
- organ-transplant recipients
- alcoholics.
Waco Family YMCA:
Legionnaires complications
After Legionnaires’ disease has been diagnosed, hospitalization is often necessary. In the most severe cases, complications can occur; they include:
- endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart’s inner lining that can affect the strength of the organ to maintain adequate blood flow through the body.
- kidney failure, which occurs when Legionella damages the kidneys’ ability to eliminate waste from the blood, resulting in kidney failure.
- pericarditis, which is a swelling of the pericardium, the primary membrane around the heart. Additionally, pericarditis also can affect the ability of the heart 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.
Free consultation
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by Legionnaires’ disease. You can contact him for a free consultation by filling out the following form and submitting it:
