Legionnaires’ Disease Detected in Retirement Community, Water System Under Investigation

Resident in County Meadows Retirement Community Tests Positive for Legionnaire’s Disease

Bethlehem Township, Jul. 09, 2023 – A short-term resident in the County Meadows retirement community in Bethlehem Township has tested positive for the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease, according to a letter from the campus’s executive director.

Legionnaire’s disease is a rare but serious form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacteria. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that approximately one in 10 people who contract the disease will die.

However, it is important to note that most people exposed to the bacteria do not get sick, as mentioned in a letter from Country Meadows Bethlehem Executive Director Susan Parker to residents.

The disease is spread through water distribution lines in building plumbing, according to Parker’s letter. In response to the positive test, Country Meadows has hired a water management company to conduct extensive tests of its water system in Building Five, the affected building. Results are expected by Monday, July 17, as it takes time to grow cultures and check sampled water for bacteria.

In the meantime, residents in Building Five have been advised not to drink tap water, use it to make ice or brush their teeth. They are also unable to shower. Country Meadows is providing bottled water to these residents and is installing specialized filters in two rooms to safely provide showers.

Parker expressed her apologies for any inconveniences caused and assured residents that Country Meadows is taking prompt and effective action to investigate and resolve the situation. It is currently unclear whether the bacteria originated at Country Meadows in Bethlehem.

Legionnaire’s disease was named after an outbreak in Philadelphia in 1976, where many people who attended an American Legion convention fell ill with pneumonia. Legionella bacteria are naturally found in freshwater environments such as lakes and streams. However, they can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made building water systems.

In 2018, health departments reported nearly 10,000 cases of Legionnaire’s disease in the United States, although the actual number could be higher due to misdiagnosis. The symptoms of the disease are similar to pneumonia, and approximately one in 10 people who become sick will die, according to the CDC.

Residents are advised to stay updated on the situation and follow the guidelines provided by Country Meadows. The investigation and resolution of the situation are ongoing.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For more information, please contact Rudy Miller at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.

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What actions are being taken to prevent the further spread of Legionnaire’s disease within the Bethlehem Township Retirement Community?

Resident in Bethlehem Township Retirement Community Tests Positive for Legionnaire’s Disease

Bethlehem Township, Jul. 09, 2023 – A resident staying temporarily in the County Meadows retirement community in Bethlehem Township has been diagnosed with Legionnaire’s disease, a bacterial infection, as stated in a letter issued by the executive director of the community.

Legionnaire’s disease is a rare but severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacteria. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around one in 10 individuals who contract the disease die as a result.

However, it is essential to mention that most people exposed to the bacteria do not fall ill, as noted in a letter sent by Susan Parker, the Executive Director of Country Meadows Bethlehem, to the residents.

Parker’s letter states that the disease spreads through water distribution lines in the building’s plumbing. As a precautionary measure, Country Meadows has engaged the services of a water management company to conduct comprehensive tests of its water system in the building.