Prairie State Wire

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs issued the following announcement on Sept. 18.

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) today announced negative test results for Legionella bacteria at the Illinois Veterans Home at Manteno (IVHM), where it responded to a single case of Legionnaires' disease on August 30.

At the time of diagnosis, IVHM confirmed that it was fully implementing its water management plan (WMP) and that the water quality for the facility was within expected parameters. In conjunction with its WMP, IVHM ordered additional water testing of the water service at locations throughout the buildings, and of the cooling tower. All tests taken that day were negative for legionella bacteria.   

"The Manteno Home staff responded swiftly when a single case of Legionnaires' Disease was identified," said Linda Chapa LaVia, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. "These test results show that our water management plan continues to be effective in maintaining water quality throughout the home. We are happy to confirm that all water tests taken at the home came back negative for Legionella bacteria."

Legionella bacteria occur naturally in the environment. In 2018, Illinois reported 512 cases of Legionnaires' disease statewide with 285 confirmed to date in 2019. Legionnaires' Disease is not spread from person to person, but by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria.

On August 30, IVHM notified all residents, family, and staff about the case of Legionnaires disease as soon as it was identified. IVHM implemented steps outlined in its WMP when a case of Legionnaires' disease is identified at the home, including heat treating fixtures, flushing potable water lines and increasing sampling frequency of water systems.

IDPH assisted IVHM by providing guidance on clinical testing and infection prevention, along with conducting an onsite environmental health assessment to validate the steps implemented under the WMP. IDPH's water samples were also negative for Legionella bacteria.

IDVA follows its water management plan and CDC recommendations to protect the health and safety of its residents.

All IDVA illness notifications may be found at www.veterans.illinois.gov. For more information on Legionnaires' disease, please visit www.dph.illinois.gov.

Original source can be found here.