Source: http://www.whig.com, July 26, 2016
By: Don O’Brien

Less than a month after unveiling a nearly $5 million state-of-the-art water treatment plant and delivery system at the Illinois Veterans Home, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday announced two residents had been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.

Dr. Nirva Shah, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said during a Wednesday morning press conference that brought Gov. Bruce Rauner to the facility that both affected residents have been treated and released from Blessing Hospital.

“As soon as we heard that we had two confirmed cases of Legionella, we wanted to come over and learn about what’s going on and get the details,” Rauner said during a 15-minute press conference in the new water treatment facility. “This is an important situation. We want to keep on top of it. We want to keep our heroes safe.”

The cases come a year after Legionnaires’ disease sickened 53 people and led to 12 deaths at the Quincy home that houses approximately 400 people. The Department of Veterans Affairs is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Adams County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine where the residents acquired the latest bacteria.

IDVA also is in the process of engaging a consultant who is an expert on infectious diseases, including Legionella, to assist in the analysis.

“We are here today to really, emphatically, let everyone know how seriously we are taking these two cases that have been confirmed,” IDVA Director Erica Jeffries said. “Our primary goal is to ensure our residents are safe. These are America’s heroes. Our staff does a tremendous job every day of making sure our residents get the utmost care.”

Water at the home will continue to be treated the same way it has since the new treatment plant became operational. It will continue to test for and flush any harmful bacteria from the system twice per day. Hot water temperatures will remain at 150 degrees.

During last year’s Legionnaires’ outbreak, the Veterans Home shut down water sources and used bottled water for cooking, drinking and sponge baths. Water fountains and cooling towers were shut down because Legionella grows where water vapor can carry the naturally occurring waterborne bacteria.

“We are prepared to take additional steps beyond what we are doing to ensure the safety of our residents,” Jeffries said.

One of those preventative measures is temporarily suspending any new admissions to the home until officials learn more about the newest Legionella cases.

After the health crisis passed last year, the Illinois Capital Development Board provided funds to upgrade the water system.

The bacteria grow in areas of warm water. Common water sources include decorative fountains, hot tubs, shower areas and cooling towers. In order to be infected with the bacteria, a person must inhale contaminated water vapor. Legionnaires’ disease cannot be transmitted person-to-person.

Shah said any Veterans Home resident showing symptoms is being tested. Temperature checks of residents are being taken every two hours.

“A resident who shows the earliest signs of pneumonia can be rushed for medical care and be evaluated,” Shah said.

Shay Drummond, director of clinical and environmental services at the Adams County Health Department, said the agency is continuously conducting surveillance for all diseases. She said there have been no reported Legionnaires’ disease outside of the two reported.

“We don’t believe that the broad residents in Adams County or the city of Quincy have cause for alarm,” Rauner said.