ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - Allen County Public Health is warning the public about Legionnaires' disease making an appearance in Allen County.
Health Commissioner Brandon Fischer says that two separate, non-related cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed in August.
Health Commissioner Brandon Fischer says that two separate, non-related cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed in August, with one person requiring hospitalization. Legionnaires' disease is rare, and we also talked with Fischer about how his department responds to situations like these.
Legionnaires' disease is rare, and we also talked with Fischer about how his department responds to situations like these.
"We're starting to see increase in cases. It's been steady cases mainly impacting healthcare facilities... respiratory infection that we're seeing in the community itself. In general, we try to do an investigation. It's generally tied back to the cooling system or water system, so there's tests that are done within the facility to try to identify where's the source of the Legionnaires and then do water remediation within the facility to try to eliminate any further risk to residents that are living either in long-term care facility or people who are in the hospital from catching that disease," said Brandon Fischer, Allen County Public Health.
Symptoms may include fever, cough, headaches, shortness of breath, and muscle aches.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. Symptoms may include fever, cough, headaches, shortness of breath, and muscle aches.
