3 Cases Of Legionnaires’ Reported In Vernon Hills Senior Home; 1 Fatal

Legionella Pneumophila Bacteria, illustration work in high details

VERNON HILLS (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Public health officials are investigating three cases of Legionnaires’ disease that left one person dead, two others sick at a senior living center in north suburban Vernon Hills.

According to the Lake County Health Department, the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease is at Brookdale Senior Living, 145 N. Milwaukee Ave., in Vernon Hills. 

"The Brookdale facility has notified family members, residents, as well as any other contacts that the residents may have had," said Dr. Sana Ahmed, Medical Epidemiologist at the Lake County Health Department.

The Lake County Health Department has been working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Brookdale staff to investigate potential sources of contamination and to identify individuals who may have been exposed to Legionella bacteria. 

"So what we really try to do is identify those areas of exposure, all the areas where there might be misting of the water occuring and turn those areas off," Dr. Ahmed said.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of severe pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. It is treatable with antibiotics, but about 1 out of 10 people who get Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.

“We urge any residents and visitors of the Brookdale facility who are currently experiencing pneumonia symptoms—cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches and fever—to see a doctor right away for testing,” Dr. Ahmed said in a statement. “Early treatment of Legionnaires’ disease reduces the severity of the illness and improves your chances for recovery.”

Senior centers tend to be vulnerable because older people have weakened immune systems. People at increased risk of getting sick include:

  • People ages 50 years or older
  • Current or former smokers
  • People with a chronic lung disease (like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema)
  • People with weak immune systems or who take drugs that weaken the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy)
  • People with cancer
  • People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure

Legionella bacteria grow in areas of warm water. They have been found in creeks and ponds, water taps (primarily hot water taps), hot water tanks, cooling towers and evaporative condensers, whirlpool spas, and decorative fountains. In order to be infected with the bacteria, a person must breathe in a mist or vapor that contains the bacteria. 

Brookdale is taking precautions against Legionella by turning off fountains, closing the pool and spa, flushing water lines, cleaning shower heads and adding filters.

Legionnaires’ can’t be spread from person-to-person, but can be deadly.

Officials did not provide details about the patient who died.

In late January, two fatal cases of Legionnaires’ at a Carol Stream retirement community were reported by health officials. According to provisional data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, 608 cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported statewide in 2019.