Legionnaires’ disease investigation tied to Bloomingdale nursing facility

Public health authorities are investigating a cluster of two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in individuals who were at or near the Alden Valley Ridge Rehabilitation and Health Center, a skilled nursing facility in Bloomingdale.

Both have recovered from their illnesses, the DuPage County Health Department announced Thursday.

But officials urge anyone who has visited or been within two miles of the Alden Valley Ridge facility within the last month who are currently experiencing pneumonia symptoms such as a cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches and/or fever “to see a doctor right away for testing,” Dr. Rashmi Chugh, the department’s medical officer, said in a statement.

“Early treatment of Legionnaires’ disease reduces the severity of the illness and improves your chances for recovery,” Chugh added. Testing and/or treatment is not needed for those without symptoms.

Illinois Department of Public Health staff conducted an on-site investigation at Alden Valley, at 275 E. Army Trail Road, on Sept. 22, and collected environmental samples. Testing by the IDPH Laboratory detected the presence of Legionella pneumophilia bacteria within the facility in samples taken from the case’s room and the facility’s cooling tower.

IDPH has communicated remediation procedures and water restrictions, as well as requirements for a comprehensive assessment of the facility’s water systems and additional testing requirements to confirm successful remediation, according to the statement.

IDPH has also advised the Alden facility to notify residents, families and employees. Additionally, IDPH recommended the facility conduct surveillance to identify other potential cases and to ensure appropriate human testing and clinical management. Alden Valley Ridge has 207 total licensed beds, IDPH records indicate.

IDPH was notified initially by the hospital that treated a patient in September, according to DuPage Health Department spokeswoman Cailyn Eckelberry. The hospital is required to report a Legionnaires’ disease diagnosis. IDPH then worked with the local health department and with the facility, which has been cooperative with the investigation, Eckelberry said via email.

An Alden spokesperson issued a written statement Thursday saying it has carried out the recommendations as directed by state and local health departments.

“We will continue to work closely with them to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents as well as the community,” the statement continued. “Alden is committed to providing quality care and the well-being of our residents has been and always will be our top priority.”

Eckelberry confirmed that the individuals are older adults, but did not share their specific age to protect confidentiality due to the small case number.

Antibiotics are used to treat Legionnaires’ disease, a type of severe pneumonia. Most people who get sick need care in a hospital but fully recover, health officials said. However, about 1 out of 10 people who get Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection.

Most healthy people do not get the disease after being exposed to Legionella bacteria. People at increased risk of falling sick include those 50 years or older, current or former smokers, people with a chronic lung disease, with weak immune systems, with cancer or underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure.

The bacteria occur naturally in the environment. Illnesses are most commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems, such as hotels, hospitals, long-term care facilities and cruise ships. The bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in man-made water systems, like hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains. There is no evidence that Legionella bacteria are spread from person to person.

According to preliminary statewide data, 287 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported so far this year.