4 Cases Of Legionnaires' Disease Reported At Advocate Christ

OAK LAWN, IL — The Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating four cases of Legionnaires' disease in people who were at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The cases date back to 2018, where three patients and an employee were reportedly sickened. Two of the cases were patients treated at the hospital within the past two months. The investigation is currently limited to this hospital, according to an IDPH news release.

The state public health department is working with the medical center to collect information as the investigation continues into the cases. IDPH officials conducted an on-site visit this week to test the facility's water. The medical center is working with the state to strengthen its water management plan and implement multiple control measures, state officials said.

Advocate Christ has been instructed to provide information to potentially impacted patients and their families about Legionella. The IDPH has also recommended that the medical center conduct surveillance to identify other potential cases and to ensure appropriate testing and clinical management. Advocate could not immediately be reached for comment.

Legionella bacteria occur naturally in the environment. Water containing Legionella can be aerosolized through cooling towers, showers, hot tubs and decorative fountains, and can cause Legionnaires' disease, a serious lung infection (pneumonia) when inhaled. Legionnaires' disease is not passed from person to person. Outbreaks are most commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems like hotels, hospitals, long-term care facilities and cruise ships. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made water systems. Most healthy people do not get Legionnaires' disease after being exposed to Legionella bacteria.