Sunday, October 20, 2013
Outbreak Of Legionnaires’ Disease At Florence Nursing Home
Work is underway to identify the source of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease centered at a Florence, Alabama nursing home.
To-date authorities have been unsuccessful in identifying the source of the legionnella bacteria that has resulted in at least thirteen confirmed cases, all centered around Glenwood Nursing Home on Ana Drive.
Confirmation is pending in another ten cases. On Friday a woman who had visited the facility in September died from the disease at a Tusculoosa hospital.
Legionnaires is a severe form of pneumonia – lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It cannot be contracted in person-to-person contact. It is contracted through inhalation, usually by inhaling a mist or vapor containing the bacterium.
Prompt treatment with antibiotics usually cures the disease, however left untreated it can be fatal. Those most likely to contact the disease are former smokers, those with chronic lung disease, or individuals with compromised immune systems.
Alabama Department of Health officials indicate that they have the full cooperation of facility management, but have been unable to identify any water vapor generating sources.
The results of many of the environmental cultures taken are as-yet pending through the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Results from the remainder of the tests are expected early in the week.
Alabama officials report that because cooling towers have frequently been identified as a source in outbreaks, management at Regency Square Mall voluntarily shut down their cooling towers as a precautionary measure.
The Glenwood facility remains open, though investigation is continuing. Those particularly susceptible to the disease are advised against visiting.
