Second Monticello nursing home resident exposed to Legionella
MONTICELLO, Ill. (WCIA) — Just days after a Monticello nursing home resident died from Legionnaire’s disease, a second resident may have been exposed to Legionella.
Scott Porter, the Executive Director of the Piatt County Nursing Home, said the resident in question was tested at the request of their family. At this time, they are not showing the effects of pneumonia, but Porter did say it is probable that previous illnesses the resident had earlier in the year could have been from a Legionella infection.
“Sadly this is a very strong sign that we will get results back as early as [Friday] showing active bacteria somewhere in our system,” Porter said. “We spent a large portion of [Wednesday] meeting with a water management company we will be engaging with to help us eliminate all traces of this bacteria from the system, and installing equipment that will ensure it remains out.”
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Porter added that several other residents showing mild symptoms were tested, but their tests did not come back positive for Legionella infection.
Since the death of another Piatt County Nursing Home resident on Monday, the facility has been taking precautions that include the installation of filters, as Porter alluded to in his email and providing bottled water for drinking.
The City of Monticello, meanwhile, has reassured in a public service announcement on Wednesday that the Legionella issue at the Piatt County Nursing Home is internal and isolated, with no impact on the city’s public water supply.
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