One Case of Legionnaire’s Disease Being Reported at Illinois Veterans Home

Residents at an Illinois Veterans Home are currently being monitored after a case of Legionnaires' disease was confirmed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

What is Legionnaires' disease and how can you get it?

According to the CDC, Legionnaires' disease is also known as Pontiac fever and can be spread when you breathe droplets of moisture in the air that have the bacteria Legionella.

While it's less common, people can become sick after drinking water that has Legionella when water accidentally is ingested into the lungs.

Illinois Veterans Home reports an isolated case in Quincy

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) confirms that the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy has an isolated case of Legionnaires' and said the residents' symptoms are mild and that they are "recovering well."

We will be continuing to use all of our expertise and the resources at our disposal to support IDVA and our local counterparts in the Adams County Health Department to protect the residents and staff at the home. -IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra

According to the press release, residents will be "monitored closely for at least the next two weeks," out of an abundance of caution.