Eight Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease at Illinois Veterans’ Home

State officials confirm eight case of Legionnaires’ Disease at the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Quincy.

In a joint press release from the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Illinois Department of Public Health, report the confirmation of the presence of the respiratory disorder among the residents of the vets’ home.

No deaths have been reported as a result of the outbreak. State agencies are working with the Adams County Health Department identify and deal with possible sources of the Legionella bacteria.

The bacteria grows in warm water. It is ingested by inhaling contaminated water vapor. Officials say Legionnaires’ Disease cannot be transmitted by person-to-person contact.