PARMA, Ohio — A patient at the Broadview Multi-Care Center in Parma has been diagnosed with Legionella, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health confirmed Wednesday.
It's the second reported case of Legionella within the county this week. The patient's sex and age were not released.
The board of heath says the specific source of the bacteria has not been identified, but the facility's water system was shut down as a precautionary measure.
The case remains under investigation. Christine Martin, Director of Strategic Marketing for Legacy Health Services, released the following statement:
"Recently, a short-term resident of Broadview Multi-Care Center was admitted to the facility with pulmonary symptoms. The individual was transferred to the hospital and later diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia. The illness is not spread from person to person – it is generally only spread to people who come into contact with an infected water source. No other patients are showing signs or symptoms of this illness.
"While we do not believe the individual contracted this disease at our facility, as a matter of precaution and in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Health and other local agencies, we have implemented proactive measures to contain any risk. We are working with Solid Blend Water Management Solutions, a recognized expert in healthcare water management. As part of these precautionary measures, Solid Blend has already conducted a hyperchlorination treatment of our water system. They have also installed temporary filters while testing continues.
"We are committed to continued communication and to working with our expert consultants, the Ohio Department of Health and local agencies to ensure the health of our residents, visitors and employees."
An individual that spent time as a patient as Altenheim Senior Living facility in Strongsville was also diagnosed with Legionella, the board of health reported Monday.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia caused by a bacteria called Legionella.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include shortness of breath, fever, muscle arches, headache and cough. While the disease is serious, it can be treated with antibiotics.