Two Deaths at Illinois Veterans' Home-Quincy

Quincy, IL - The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced the deaths of two residents at the Illinois Veterans’ Home-Quincy.  The two residents, both of whom had underlying medical conditions, were among the 23 individuals who had been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease to date.  Test results are currently pending for other residents.
  
“The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) and our Quincy Home staff are deeply saddened by the passing of these two veterans, just as we are when any of our residents pass.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, and caretakers of these residents.” said Erica Jeffries, Director, IDVA.  “We are keenly focused on making all of our Homes places for residents to live and thrive, and we work very hard to provide the safest, most sanitary, and pleasant living arrangements for our heroes.  We will continue to work closely with IDPH and the local healthcare providers to remediate these issues as quickly as possible to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our residents.”
 
“Legionnaires’ disease can range from a mild respiratory illness to severe pneumonia and death,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D.   “It can take up to 14 days to become ill after exposure, so we could see additional cases.   Because the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions are at greater risk of serious illness, we are working diligently to identify residents or staff who have respiratory illness and provide medical treatment to them as quickly as possible.”
 
Names of the deceased are being withheld to allow families to notify other family and friends.  We will work with the families and ask others to respect their privacy at this difficult time.
 
IDVA and IDPH continue to work closely with the Adams County Health Department to identify and mitigate possible sources of the Legionella bacteria.  Most cases of Legionnaires’ disease can be traced to plumbing systems where conditions are favorable for Legionella growth, such as hot water tanks, cooling towers, and evaporative condensers of large air-conditioning systems.  In order to be infected with the bacteria, a person must inhale contaminated water vapor.  Legionnaires’ disease cannot be transmitted person-to-person.   Public and environmental health officials are working closely with home staff to implement control measures at the home in order to prevent additional individuals from being infected.
 
For more information about Legionnaires’ disease, visit the IDPH website.
             
For media seeking additional information, please contact:
IDVA / IVH-Q:  Ryan Yantis, IDVA PIO (d) 312-814-0778 (c) 312-520-6958  ryan.yantis@illinois.gov
IDPH: Melaney Arnold, IDPH PIO (d) 217-558-0500 (c) 217-836-6438 melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
Adams Co. Health Dept.: Shay Drummond, (d)217-222-8440 x148 (c)217-316-2795 sdrummond@co.adams.il.us