This story by Christina Dolan was first published in the Valley News on Jan. 29.
WINDSOR — One person has died and several have been hospitalized due to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the Cedar Hill Continuing Care facility, according to the Vermont Department of Health.
The department issued an advisory to health care providers Wednesday morning stating that six cases of the pneumonia-like illness had been reported among residents and staff at the Village at Cedar Hill.
“This outbreak is unusual for Vermont,” said Health Department spokesman Kyle Casteel, noting this is the first facility outbreak in the state in five years.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches and fever, according to the health advisory.
People over 50, current or former smokers, and people with lung disease or compromised immune systems are at particular risk.
The fatality rate for Legionnaires acquired outside of health care settings is 10%, according to the Health Department advisory.
In health care settings, however, the fatality rate rises to 25%.
The Village is an independent and assisted living apartment complex on the Cedar Hill campus, which also includes memory care and skilled nursing facilities.
The outbreak originated in the facility’s water system, according to the health advisory. Cedar Hill’s management is taking steps to reduce the risk of exposure by limiting the aerosolization of water — the creation of mist or tiny droplets — and installing filters, Casteel said in a Wednesday afternoon email.
“Once we learned of this case, we immediately put in place water restrictions, including the use of bottled water,” Cedar Hill Executive Director Patricia Horn said in a Wednesday afternoon email.
The source of the outbreak is currently unknown, she said.
Cedar Hill has hired IWC Innovations, a legionella consulting firm, to help locate the cause, she said.
“In 2011 and 2012, we had isolated cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Following these incidents, we immediately implemented a comprehensive water management plan that includes regular testing, monitoring, and preventive maintenance of our water systems,” Horn said.
Legionella bacteria occur naturally in freshwater environments such as lakes and streams. It can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in the water systems of buildings. Outbreaks are often linked to large or complex water systems, such as those found in hospitals, hotels and cruise ships.
The most common sources of infection are showers, air-conditioning cooling towers, decorative fountains and hot tubs, according to the Health Department.
The outbreak at Cedar Hill does not affect people living in the surrounding area, Casteel said.
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at the Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in 1982 resulted in the death of one patient.
Cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been increasing since about 2000, dipping briefly during the COVID-19 pandemic and then trending upward again, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More information about Legionnaire’s disease and ways to prevent the bacteria’s growth may be found on the Health Department’s website at: https://tinyurl.com/23wch3yo.
Read the story on VTDigger here: One dies in Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at Windsor senior living facility.