Legionella E-news -- 22 April 2005
Legionella E-news, 22
April 2005
HC Information Resources Inc.
Matthew R. Freije, Editor
**IN THIS ISSUE**
1. Two LD Deaths at NYC Hospital
2. Nine Cases in NSW, Australia
3. Three Cases in Maryland Condominium Residents
4. Six Cases at a Hospital in Spain
5. Two Cases at a Hospital in Iowa City
6. Gardeners Warned Again About L. Longbeachae in Potting Mix
7. Links to Recent Articles
8. Training Opportunities
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1. Two LD Deaths at NYC Hospital
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A hospital in New York City has reported four cases of Legionnaires' to
the health department since last month. Two of the patients have died,
although the hospital has not confirmed Legionnaires' disease as the
cause. One of the patients, a 63-year-old man, checked into the hospital
last month for a procedure intended to sustain his life while he waited
for a transplant. On 4 April, his family members were told he had
Legionnaires' disease. He died nine days later. Although the source of
contamination has not been identified, it’s interesting to note that his
wife reported having used hospital tap water to fill the humidifier that
was connected to his breathing mask. The New York State Department of
Health is investigating the deaths. Source: The Journal News
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2. NINE CASES IN NSW, AUSTRALIA
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Nine cases of Legionnaires' were confirmed in January and early February
in the New South Wales Illawarra region. Eight of the cases were in men
ranging in age from 31 to 84. The other case was a 69-year-old woman. No
deaths have been reported. All registered cooling towers in the city
were tested and three showed elevated Legionella levels, but health
officials did not expect to pinpoint the source of contamination.
Source: news media
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3. THREE CASES IN MARYLAND CONDOMINIUM RESIDENTS
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In late January, the Worcester County Health Department reported three
cases of Legionnaire's disease associated with a condominium tower in
Ocean City. One of the individuals died. Legionella was found in several
water samples collected from the building, but in none of the eight
samples collected from the city water supply. Source: news media
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4. SIX CASES AT A HOSPITAL IN SPAIN
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Six immunocompromised patients who were admitted to an oncology center
in Barcelona contracted Legionnaires' disease in late February. The
cases occurred in four men and two women ranging in age from 41 to 81.
One of the patients, a 41-year-old man with advanced cancer, died on 26
February, the day after his infection was diagnosed. Source: abc.es
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5. TWO CASES AT A HOSPITAL IN IOWA CITY
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Nearly three months after two Legionnaires' cases were confirmed, a
hospital in Iowa is still providing patients with bottled water for
drinking and filtered water for showering until Legionella can be
eradicated from its water system. Hospital officials said that the first
patient contracted the disease in December from a showerhead, and has
recovered. The second patient, whose case of Legionnaires' was confirmed
in January, died, but hospital officials could not confirm that the
death was caused by Legionnaires'. Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen
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6. GARDENERS WARNED AGAIN ABOUT L. LONGBEACHAE IN POTTING MIX
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In January, Australian health officials reported that three deaths in
Victoria were linked to Legionella longbeachae in potting mix in 2004.
The health officials warned gardeners handling potting mix to wear a
mask and eye protection, moisten the contents of a potting mix bag
before opening it, store the bag in a cool location, clean up while the
product is damp, wash hands and clothes afterwards, and to not shake the
bag.
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7. Links to Recent Articles
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* “The Word on Water: New CDC Guidelines Recommend a Proactive Approach
to Legionella,” by Matthew R. Freije (Health Facilities Management,
October 2004).
http://www.hfmmagazine.com/hfmmagazine/hospitalconnect/search/article.jsp?dcrpath=HFMMAGAZINE/PubsNewsArticleGen/data/Backup/0406HFM_DEPT_Codes&domain=HFMMAGAZINE
(Hint: It won’t work to click on the link. Paste the entire link into
your word processor to make sure there are no gaps, and then into your
browser. We apologize for the inconvenience.)
* “Legionnaires Disease Associated with Potable Water in a Hotel ---
Ocean City, Maryland, October 2003--February 2004” (MMWR Weekly, 25
February 2005). http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5407a1.htm
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8. TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
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Matt Freije is working on his seminar schedule for 2005. If you would
like to train your staff on Legionella and other waterborne pathogens,
or host a seminar in your city, please contact him at 760-494-3063 or
mf@hcinfo.com.
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THANK YOU!
Matt Freije
mf@hcinfo.com
--
HC Information Resources Inc.
Tel: 760-494-3063
Fax: 619-839-3166
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