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Monday, October 21, 2013
A magnified image of the bacteria that causes Legionella pneumonia. The respiratory illness has killed one and sicked more than a dozen in Lauderdale County (Photo: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
(WDNG) - State officials confirm an outbreak of Legionella pneumonia in northwest Alabama that has claimed one life is centered around a Florence nursing home. The Alabama Department of Public Health late last week announced 13 cases of the respiratory illness have been confirmed in Lauderdale County. One person has reportedly died from the illness and state officials say another 10 possible cases were still awaiting test results.
The cases have been tied to the Glenwood Nursing Home facility in Florence but officials said on Thursday that no sources for the illness have been identified. Cooling towers for water systems are often associated with Legionella pneumonia and state officials say a nearby mall has voluntarily turned theirs off as a precaution.
The the bacteria that causes the illness commonly known as Legionnaires’ disease can be found in hot tubs, water heater and large plumbing systems and usually affects people who already have chronic lung problems.
Legionella pneumonia reportedly gets its name after an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976 saw a new bacteria sicken more than 200 people and kill 34.
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Keywords: legionella pneumonia,Legionnaires' Disease,Alabama Department of Public Health,Glenwood Nursing Home,Florence,Lauderdale County
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