By NewsDesk @bactiman63
Illinois state and local health officials report investigating three cases of Legionnaires’ disease in individuals who were patients at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital.
One individual was an inpatient, and the second and third individuals had outpatient visits. These patients could have acquired the infection at the hospital, but they also had other possible sources of exposure during the 10 days before they started showing symptoms.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) and the hospital are working to information and further investigate these cases, which will include another on-site visit by IDPH to test the facility’s water. Central DuPage Hospital is working with IDPH to strengthen its water management plan and implement multiple control measures. The hospital has also taken actions outlined in its water management plan, including flushing the plumbing system.
The hospital is working to provide information to potentially impacted patients and employees about Legionella. IDPH recommended the hospital conduct surveillance to identify other potential cases and to ensure appropriate testing and clinical management.
