Legionnaires' disease investigated at Vernon Hills retirement home

State and local health authorities are investigating the cause of a bacterial disease associated with the deaths of two people at The Park at Vernon Hills retirement community.

Three cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed in a lab and seven others are suspected, according to Victor Plotkin, epidemiologist for the Lake County Health Department.

"It appears to be contained and limited to this facility only," he added.

The disease, which is contracted by inhaling contaminated mist or vapor, is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person.

Jane Woloson, executive director, said one resident lived at The Park several years but already had moved out when the person died.

"We don't have their death certificates so we don't know what they passed away from. It's true they did have the diagnosis," she said Friday evening.

She said both people had other health issues.

"We're doing everything we possibly can to take precautions," Woloson added. "They're saying the risk is minimal."

Residents have been notified of the situation at the facility at 145 N. Milwaukee Ave., which is home to about 260 people.

"The risk is being assessed," Plotkin said.

Doctors and hospitals that deal with patients from retirement centers have been notified to be aware of pneumonia like symptoms, Plotkin added.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by a type of bacteria commonly found in the environment.

In this case, the suspected source may be the aquatic elements in the atrium of the facility, which includes a rain forest, waterfall and spa. Those facilities have been shut down.

Health officials are interviewing residents and staff and collecting urine specimens in suspect cases. Woloson said tests on the suspected cases were negative and added it was uncertain if the source is in the buildings.

One of the deaths occurred in September, but that case was not indicative of a potentially larger problem, Plotkin said. That changed when the health department was notified of a second case earlier this week.

Subsequent investigation revealed a third confirmed case and the other suspected cases.

"We still need to establish the link conclusively," Plotkin said.

The Illinois Department of Public Health, which licenses the facility, is leading the investigation and the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta is consulting.

In June 2008, several people were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease after using a hot tub at a hotel in McHenry.

Health officials said the disease is treatable with antibiotics but can be serious and cause death in up to 30 percent of cases.