Local nursing home resident tests positive for Legionnaires’ disease, water testing underway

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TROY — A rehab facility is testing and looking into the possibility of legionella at the facility.

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Troy Rehab and Healthcare confirmed a resident of the facility contracted Legionnaire’s disease and has since recovered.

Legionnaire’s disease is a type of pneumonia that can become serious.

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The disease doesn’t spread from person to person. Instead, the bacteria spreads through mis

The facility is working closely with the Ohio Department of Health to determine how the resident was infected, April Steinberg, administrator for the facility, said in a statement.

“Although it may not have occurred at Troy Rehab, normal procedure in these instances is to test our water system. We have brought in an independent laboratory group to conduct these water tests throughout the facility to scan for the bacteria. If found, we will undertake a treatment plan to disinfect the system, kill any Legionella, and prevent more from growing,” the statement reads.

Troy Rehab added it has also switched to bottled or filtered water and installed high-filtration showerheads.

News Center 7 reached out to the Ohio Department of Public Health and received the following statement:

“The Ohio Department of Health is working with Troy Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center regarding Legionnaires’ disease. When a case of Legionnaires’ disease is reported, the local health department (in this case, Miami County Public Health) conducts an investigation to identify possible sources of exposure. Based on that investigation, ODH works with local health departments to implement appropriate public health measures.”

We will continue to follow this story.

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