6 years, 6 months ago by Scott Hardy
One patient dead, but had "complex medical issue aside from Legionnaire's"
Two new cases of Legionnaires' disease at the Illinois Veterans Home have been confirmed.
Public Information Officer Dave MacDonna with the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs said Wednesday morning that tests on two residents for Legionella came back positive.
One of those residents is now dead, but the Vets Home says that person had a quote "complex medical issue aside from Legionnaire's'". The second person is being treated for the disease. McDonna says the Department is working with the Adams County Health Department to identify any potential sources of the disease. He adds that those with respiratory issues are being closely monitored, and that because of the facility's history, faculty and staff continuously look for symptoms. It's the first sign of the disease at the Veterans Home since last July and August, when three people were stricken. That news came months after the Home showed off $5 million in renovations to its' water treatment system. That system was updated after 12 residents died and over 50 became ill in a 2015 outbreak.
MacDonna and Jerrod Welch with the Adams County Health Department both stress that confirmation of the disease isn't reason for heightened concern in Quincy.
