The Kane County Health Department is investigating a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at a retirement facility in Batavia.
Four cases were confirmed Thursday at Covenant Living at the Holmstad retirement community, county health officials announced in a statement.
“Four people were hospitalized when they came down with symptoms. We do not know if they are still hospitalized, or if they were treated and released,” Kane County Health Department Public Information Officer Susan Stack said Sunday.
Covenant Living has retirement communities across the nation, including one in Geneva and several in the far northern suburbs.
Illinois Department of Public Health and Kane County Health Department officials met with staff at the Batavia facility on Friday, Stack said.
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Public health officials are testing for Legionella bacteria and are investigating to identify potential sources. They are also checking to determine if other residents may have been exposed to the bacteria, according to county officials.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection or pneumonia that people can get by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria, they said.
Outbreaks 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 bacterium can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems, like hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains.
Most healthy people do not get Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to Legionella bacteria. People at increased risk of Legionnaire’s disease are those 50 years of age or older, or those who have certain risk factors, such as being a current or former smoker, having a chronic disease or having a weakened immune system.
In 2018, Illinois reported 512 cases of Legionnaires’ disease statewide, with 251 confirmed to date in 2019. More information about Legionnaires’ disease can be found at KaneHealth.com.