Legionnaires' Case Identified at Quincy Veterans Home

The last case of Legionnaires' at Quincy was in 2018. An outbreak that began in 2015 caused the deaths of 13 residents and sickened dozens more.

This undated image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a large grouping of Legionella pneumophila bacteria (Legionnaires’ disease). Most deaths from Legionnaires’ disease are tied to hospital and nursing home showers, not outdoor cooling towers, new government figures released Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015 show. The germ spreads into the lungs through water vapor or mist. (Janice Haney Carr/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP) .
Associated Press

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration is investigating a case of Legionnaires' diseases at the veterans home in Quincy, the site of 13 deaths from the malady starting with a 2015 outbreak.

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and the Illinois Department of Public Health are reviewing the case of the resident with the flu-like illness. Officials say the resident of the home 312 miles southwest of Chicago has received medical treatment and is recovering.

Officials say no other cases of the illness contracted by breathing infected water vapor have been identified.

Staff members are monitoring residents for respiratory illnesses. Officials have notified residents, staff members, and relations and representatives of residents.

The last case of Legionnaires' at Quincy was in 2018. An outbreak that began in 2015 caused the deaths of 13 residents and sickened dozens more.

Then-Gov. Bruce Rauner faced withering criticism for not doing enough in response to the crisis.

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