Source For Legionnaires' Cases Narrowed Down: Health Officials

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL – The McHenry County Department of Health has identified a "potential common source of exposure" for six of the 12 people who contracted Legionnaires' disease while visiting, working or living in the area in recent weeks. The "source" is within a 1.5 mile radius of the intersection of Walkup Road and Route 176 in Crystal Lake, health officials said Friday. An exact location, such as a specific body of water, where all those who became sick may have gone has not been pinpointed, Keri Zaleski, McHenry County Department of Health community information officer, said.

The local health department has worked with the Illinois Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control in recent weeks, conducting interviews and environmental assessments to try and determine a possible connection between the cases.

"Many environmental samples have been collected, however, it is often the case that a single source is never found, which is not surprising or unusual considering that Legionella bacteria are pervasive in our natural environment," said Joe Gugle, Acting Health Department Administrator.

In total, 12 people contracted the disease – nine of whom were McHenry County residents, health officials said Friday. Two lived in the state and one lived out of state, Zaleski said.

The people who fell ill range in age from 46 to 82 years old. They lived in Union, Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Huntley and Wonder Lake and were diagnosed with illness between June 7 and July 1. No new case have been reported since July 1, according to Friday's news release.

“So far this year, McHenry County has seen an increase of Legionnaires’ disease cases. This year’s increase is also being seen within our region and the state, along with a national increase over the last decade," said Susan Karras, MCDH Director of Nurses. “Most people exposed to Legionella bacteria will not get sick. However, it can cause severe illness, especially in individuals with risk factors."

Seen more frequently in hot weather, Legionnaires’ disease, which leads to pneumonia-like symptoms, is caused by Legionella bacteria. This infection poses the greatest risk for people 50 years of age or older and for those who have certain risk factors such as being a current or former smoker, having a chronic disease, or having a weakened immune system, according to a news release.

Symptoms typically begin two to 10 days after exposure and can include cough, muscle aches, fever, shortness of breath, and headache. Diarrhea and mental confusion are also common, according to a news release.

You can become ill by breathing in a mist, or small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria are found naturally in freshwater environments like lakes and streams. They can become a health concern when found in building water systems, such as the water used for showering, hot tubs, cooling towers, decorative fountains, and hot water tanks.

Home and car air-conditioning units do not use water to cool the air and are not generally believed to be a risk for Legionella growth. Legionella bacteria do not spread from person-to-person, except under rare circumstances, according to the news release.

MCDH is working closely with the IDPH and the CDC to continue to investigate the local cases of Legionnaires' disease. Results from environmental assessments will not be available for about six weeks.

"It's kind of like looking for a needle in a haystack," said Zaleski when referring to health officials search for a source of the disease. "There is a lot of different sources for Legionnaires."

Zaleski said anyone who is experiencing symptoms should contact their doctor.

More information is available on the CDC website.

MORE ON PATCH

• Legionnaires' Cases Reported In Algonquin, Crystal Lake
• 300 Cases Of Legionnaires' In Illinois Last Year

Photo via Shutterstock