© 2024 NPR Illinois
The Capital's Community & News Service
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Cases Of Legionnaires' Disease At Quincy Veterans Home

Jason Parrott/Tri States Public Radio

Two cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported at a western Illinois veterans' home more than two years after an outbreak killed 12 people and sickened 54 at the facility.

 
The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs said Wednesday that two residents 
at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy contracted the disease.
Department 
spokesman Dave MacDonna said one resident died last week but officials believe 
the death resulted from other factors. The other resident is recovering.
 

The bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease grow in warm water and are often 
present in water supplies. MacDonna said the source of the current Legionnaires' 
disease cases isn't currently known. He said the facility is "testing the water 
and closely monitoring residents."
 

Facility administrator Troy Culbertson says the home's water is tested often 
and results have been negative.

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.
Related Stories