Case of Legionnaires' disease Identified In Adams County

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced a confirmed case of Legionnaires’ disease in an Adams County resident.  IDPH identified at least two locations where the individual could have been exposed to the bacteria, one being the personal residence, the other being the Quincy Veterans’ Home. Test results are unable to provide a conclusive link to either location.

“Cases of legionellosis, which includes Legionnaires’ disease, are not uncommon, with an average of 250 cases reported each year in Illinois,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D.  “At this time, we do not believe there is an increased risk of Legionnaires’ disease in the Adams County area, nor at the Quincy Veterans’ Home.”

“While this case is not confirmed to have come from the Quincy Veterans’ Home, we are continuing to implement every necessary precaution to ensure the health and safety of our residents and staff.  That is our top priority,” IDVA Director Erica Jeffries said.

In September 2015, the IDVA began implementing measures to control Legionella bacteria that may have been in the plumbing systems. A number of steps have been undertaken to remediate the water.  Measures include construction of a new water treatment facility that provides thermal and chemical treatment to control bacteria.