Feature Stories

Legionnaires’ Disease at Mt. Carmel Grove City Hospital (6/24/19)

June 24, 2019 by
Legionella Outbreak at Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital

Franklin County Public Health is working with Mount Carmel Grove City, the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate a Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak at the Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital. The source of the outbreak was the potable water system.

June 24, 2019
Due to the fact that the time period for the onset of symptoms has passed since water restrictions and corrective action was taken by Mount Carmel Grove City and no additional cases have been identified, we will only post information if something changes. Franklin County Public Health will continue to closely monitor the situation. 

Confirmed Case Data from 6/24/2019
Total Confirmed 16
Age Range 48-90 years
Average Age 69 years
Gender 9 female 7 male
Hospitalized (overall) 14
Deaths 1**
Hospital Exposure Date Range 04/28/2019-05/31/2019
Jurisdiction 6 Franklin County 
  7 Columbus City
  1 Pickaway County
  2 Out of State
** Cause of death has not been determined

 

What is Legionnaires’ Disease?

Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium. Although Legionella can live in fresh water, it’s often associated with large or complex water systems that are usually found in hospitals, nursing homes or hotels. You cannot get Legionnaires’ Disease from another person. You can only get it by breathing in small water droplets that contain Legionella from sources such as hot tubs or showers.

Symptoms include:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Muscle aches
  • Fever
  • Headache

Anyone who was a patient, worked or visited Mount Carmel Grove City should take care to watch for symptoms.  If you have symptoms or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. 

For other questions or concerns, please call Franklin County Public Health at (614) 525-6687 or call Mount Carmel’s hotline at (614) 265-8111. You can also visit their website for more information.  

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