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Franklin County, OH health officials report working with Mount Carmel Grove City, the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate a Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak at the Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital. The source of the outbreak is unknown at this time.

Legionella/CDC

As of today, 13 confirmed cases have been reported, including one fatality. However, the cause of death has not been determined. All but one required hospitalization for their illness.

The average age of the patients is 69 years.

Mount Carmel Grove City has implemented the following steps to protect those who have contact with the hospital and to reduce the risk of more infections:

  • Flushing all hot and cold water lines and fixtures throughout facility
  • Implementing immediate practices to disinfect hot and cold water lines and fixtures
  • Testing and cleaning all ice machines
  • Making sure the on-sight cooling towers are cleaned and serviced
  • Testing water sources and providing test results to the Ohio Department of Health
  • Providing their water management plan to the Ohio Department of Health for review
  • Passing out bottled water to patients and staff

Ohio hepatitis A outbreak nears 3,000 cases

Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium. Although Legionella can live in fresh water, it’s often associated with large or complex water systems that are usually found in hospitals, nursing homes or hotels. You cannot get Legionnaires’ Disease from another person. You can only get it by breathing in small water droplets that contain Legionella from sources such as hot tubs or showers.

Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, fever and headache

Anyone who was a patient, worked or visited Mount Carmel Grove City should take care to watch for symptoms.  If you have symptoms or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider.