Lake Co. retirement home source of Legionnaires' disease

State health officials on Wednesday confirmed that water samples taken at The Park retirement community in Vernon Hills were positive for the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease.

Seven cases of Legionnaires,' a form of pneumonia, were confirmed from mid-September to late October. Two people died from the infection and the five other patients were hospitalized but recovered, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

No new cases were reported in November.

IDPH Spokeswoman Kelly Jakubek said samples taken Nov. 7 tested positive for the bacteria. Samples taken by a consultant hired by the facility at 145 N. Milwaukee Ave. were consistent with those findings.

The agency is working with the facility on a plan to clean and treat the areas where bacteria were found, and clean up has begun.

Water and swimming features will not be allowed back into operation until two consecutive rounds of samples test negative for Legionella.

Legionnaires' is contracted by inhaling mists of water containing the bacteria. It is not contagious, but the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting it.

About 260 live at The Park, an independent and assisted living facility known for a 6-story indoor rain forest, a waterfall and spa.