PONTIAC – An investigation is underway at the Pontiac Correctional Center after authorities say they have found two cases of Legionnaires’ disease. The Illinois Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Public Health made the announcement Thursday. They say two individuals are hospitalized in stable condition. No other cases have been found and authorities will be monitoring all offenders for respiratory illness. A water quality investigation at the facility is ongoing.
Legionella bacteria can occur naturally in the environment. Water containing Legionella can be aerosolized through cooling towers, and showers, and can cause Legionnaire’s disease, a serious lung infection when inhaled. Legionnaires’ disease is not passed from person to person. Illnesses such as Legionnaires disease are most commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems like hospitals and long-term care facilities. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made water systems. Most healthy people do not get Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to Legionella bacteria.
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