Legionnaires’ illness outbreak supply recognized in Grand Rapids

The Minnesota Division of Well being mentioned proof factors to elements of town of Grand Rapids' water system because the supply. Since final April, fourteen circumstances of the illness have been recognized within the space; 11 of these individuals had been hospitalized. No person has died.

“We’re taking this case very significantly,” mentioned Jessica Hancock-Allen, director of the well being division's Division of Epidemiology, Prevention and Management of Infectious Illnesses. “Whereas most individuals uncovered to Legionella micro organism don’t develop Legionnaires' illness, the perfect factor you are able to do in case you expertise signs of pneumonia, reminiscent of cough, shortness of breath, fever, and headache, is to contact your healthcare supplier. medical consideration instantly. “Most circumstances will be efficiently handled with antibiotics, however immediate analysis and acceptable antibiotic therapy are necessary.”

Grand Rapids Public Utilities mentioned it’s engaged on a plan to flush and disinfect the water system.

“We’re working in partnership with the native water utility to find out the easiest way to deal with the state of affairs,” mentioned Tom Hogan, director of the well being division's Environmental Well being Division. “Extra water sampling is deliberate and the outcomes shall be analyzed and used to tell additional actions and communications.”

The state well being division mentioned Grand Rapids has “one of many few neighborhood water programs in Minnesota that doesn’t chlorinate its water. It’s because some programs that draw water from underground sources, reminiscent of neighborhood wells, don’t want so as to add disinfectants.”

Julie Kennedy, common supervisor of Grand Rapids Public Utilities, mentioned the corporate is contemplating including chlorination, however it's not one thing that may be finished rapidly.

“Introducing chlorination right into a beforehand unchlorinated system is a fancy course of, so our method have to be methodical to make sure we keep away from further well being, security or distribution system issues,” he mentioned in a well being division information launch. state.

Kennedy mentioned the utility will present prospects with updates as plans develop.

Legionnaires' illness is a type of pneumonia attributable to publicity to Legionella micro organism. Well being officers say it’s transmitted by respiratory water mist, reminiscent of from a bathe. Folks don’t grow to be contaminated by consuming water, officers mentioned, and the illness doesn’t unfold from individual to individual.

In 2023, Minnesota had 134 circumstances, together with six deaths, associated to Legionnaires' illness.

Most individuals uncovered to Legionella micro organism don’t develop Legionnaires' illness, in accordance with the state well being division. Folks at highest danger for an infection and extreme sickness embody these aged 50 and older and present or former people who smoke. Different danger components embody continual illnesses reminiscent of lung, kidney or liver illnesses; diabetes; most cancers; and circumstances and drugs that have an effect on the immune system.

The well being division outlined a number of steps residents can take to cut back the chance of waterborne sicknesses.

• Periodically clear any system that makes use of water to take away dust, particles, germs, and different impurities. These could embody medical tools, humidifiers, bathe heads, and tap aerators.

• In the event you use medical tools that requires water, reminiscent of CPAP or BiPAP machines or Neti Pots, use solely distilled water.

• For transportable humidifiers, use distilled water; boiled after which cooled water; or water disinfected with chlorine.

• Hold water heaters set to a minimal of 120 levels. The well being division famous water heater temperature of 130 to 140 levels can kill many dangerous germs, but in addition will increase the chance of burns, and beneficial taking further precautions.