LANCASTER − Fairfield County Health Commissioner Joe Ebel said there have been eight cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported at Country Lane Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center over the past several days.
The center is located at 7820 Pleasantville Road NE in Thornville.
Ebel said there have been no fatalities that he’s aware of. The Eagle-Gazette called the nursing center and a person who answered the phone said the center would not comment on the issue.
“It basically can cause pneumonia, but it can be treated with antibiotics,” Ebel said of Legionnaires’ disease. “But it still can be deadly, especially in people that have compromised immune systems. It’s caused by Legionella bacteria, which is found in soil and water naturally. But it can grow in, especially, plumbing systems, hot tubs, cooling towers for rooftop air conditioners and places like that where there’s warm water.”
He said water vapors from showering are usually how the bacteria can enter the lungs, multiply and cause health issues.
Ebel said those with weakened immune systems can include older people, those with cancer, people who are on medication and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
“A lot of the high-risk population that we would be talking about with the flu or COVID,” he said.
Ebel said Legionnaires’ disease is not normally spread from person to person. He said there are a few cases reported each year. But he said this one is unusual because of the number of cases involved. Ebel said there is no danger to the community from the Country Lane cases.
“It’s not a reason for the general public to be concerned,” he said. “This facility has taken steps that have been asked of them to make sure that, No. 1, prevent additional people from getting ill. And No. 2, try to figure out what the source of the bacteria was so we can eliminate that problem.”
Ebel said Country Lane Gardens has put special filters on faucets and shower heads to strain out any bacteria. The water has also been tested for bacteria and Ebel said the results have not come back yet.
“And they’re checking temperatures at the sinks and things to make sure the hot water is staying hot in the lines,” Ebel said. “There’s a list of recommendations the Ohio Department of Health has given them, and so they’ve been working on that list.”
He said the county health department and the state health department are working with Country Gardens on the issue.
jbarron@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Legionnaires’ disease cases reported at local nursing center
Reporting by Jeff Barron, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Barron, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
