Fourteen people have been hospitalized and one of them has died in a Legionnaire’s disease outbreak in Sioux Falls, SD. Those sickened, who range in age from 36 to 80, live in or visited Sioux Falls prior to getting sick.
Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is spread when water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria are inhaled. It is not transmitted through person-to-person contact. Legionella bacteria are often found in hot tubs, fountains, pools, spas and the cooling towers or plumbing and air-conditioning systems of large buildings.
Officials from the South Dakota Department of Health have asked investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for help in executing environmental assessments to help identify water sources that may be the source of the outbreak.
Each year, between eight and 15 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported in South Dakota. So far this year, 24 cases have been reported. Nationwide, between 8,000 and 18,000 cases are reported each year.
Legionnaires’ Disease Symptoms
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease usually develop within two to 10 days of exposure and last about a week. They include:
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Headache
- High fever
- Muscle aches
Legionnaires’ Disease Lawyers
The Legionnaires’ disease lawyers at Pritzker Hageman represent clients nationwide who have been sickened or who have lost loved ones in Legionnaires’ Disease outbreaks. For a free consultation about a Legionnaires’ disease lawsuit, contact our experienced team of Legionnaires’ lawyers with this online form or, reach them in their offices by calling toll-free 1(888) 377-8900. There is no obligation.
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