Health Department Identifies Source Of Legionnaires' Outbreak

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November 2, 2005

Health Department Identifies Source Of Legionnaires' Outbreak

Volume 1 Issue 181

Health Department Identifies Source Of Legionnaires' Outbreak

by DORIS HAUGEN, Associated Press, Aberdeen News, Oct 29, 2005

http://www.imakenews.com/pureaircontrols/e_article000480686.cfm?

x=b5W2G39,bvtv58G

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - An ornamental fountain in a restaurant waiting

area has been identified as the source of an outbreak of

Legionnaires' disease in Rapid City, state health officials said

Saturday.

Samples taken on Monday from the Casa Del Rey matched the Legionella

strain isolated from people who have become sick, state Health

Secretary Doneen Hollingsworth said.

Test results came back late Saturday afternoon, she said.

The health secretary also said two new cases of Legionnaires'

disease have been identified, bringing the total number of Rapid

City cases to 15.

One person died on July 1.

Hollingsworth said two people remain hospitalized.

Jon Sharp, general manager at Casa Del Rey, said the fountain was

removed Wednesday.

News of the restaurant's connection to the outbreak came as a shock,

said Sharp. If the restaurant had known it would be a problem, the

fountain never would have been installed, he said.

" Truly, I am sorry for everyone that this situation happened, " Sharp

told The Associated Press.

The disease is a form of pneumonia. Most people exposed never get

sick, but the elderly and people with weak immune systems can be

susceptible.

The disease can't be transmitted by person-to-person contact but

rather by exposure to bacteria in a mist or vapor.

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