TROY — A resident at Troy Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center has tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease.
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As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Legionnaires’ is a type of bacterial pneumonia that can become serious, especially for elderly patients, or people with weakened immune systems.
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An administrator with Troy Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center told News Center 7 that they’re testing the facility’s water.
“We have been in contact with the facility. We’ve been working with them to do an investigation to see if they can figure out the source of that,” Nathan Bednar, Miami County Public Health, said.
Bednar said someone can get the disease if they breathe in small water droplets containing the legionella bacteria.
It’s not spread from person to person, but instead from water sources like pipes, showers, and bathtubs.
The nursing home’s administrator said the resident is being treated at the facility.
They also brought in an independent lab group to test the water and scan for bacteria throughout the building.
If anything is found, they will disinfect their system to kill any Legionella and prevent more from growing.
The nursing home has installed high-filtration water taps and shower heads that remove Legionella.
Bednar said the facility has been “proactive,” but added that the public health investigation will be separate from the steps the nursing home is taking.
“We’re going to do boots on the ground, work with the facility, you know, go to that facility. You know, take a look at the type of plumbing and type of Disinfection and filtration they have there,” Bednar said.
News Center 7 previously reported that a different resident at the same nursing home tested positive for Legionella in December. The administrator doesn’t think the cases are related.
The Ohio Department of Health provided a statement to News Center 7 regarding the case.
“The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) is working with the facility and the local health department on the response. This included reviewing and approving the facility’s Water Management Program, and reviewing the results of their environmental sampling.
ODH has not yet confirmed the case of Legionnaires.”
— Ohio Department of Health spokesperson
News Center 7 will continue to follow this story.
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