One Dead, Two Sickened by Legionnaire’s Disease Confirmed in Mobile Home Park in Florida

Hillsborough County officials are investigating three cases of Legionnaire’s disease that they believe was contracted at a mobile home park in Plant City, FL. The three individuals were not from the same household, but they all lived in the Meadows at Countrywood, a 55-and-older community with 799 mobile homes. The identities of the people infected have not been released.
 
Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious form of pneumonia that results in long term health effects or a flu-like illness called Pontiac Fever. Most individuals become infected by inhaling Legionella bacteria in the air; it is not spread from person to person. The bacteria spread through mist or vapor from contaminated water in hot tubs, cooling towers, faucets, showerheads, and other water systems. A current or previous smoking habit, chronic lung disease, age (usually 50 years or older), and the use of certain rheumatoid arthritis and chemotherapy drugs can increase the risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease.
 
Health officials are working to find the source of the Legionnaire’s outbreak. As a precautionary measure, they closed the park’s two swimming pools and two hot tubs.
 
“EMSL Analytical, Inc. conducts Legionella testing by both the culture method and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR),” states EMSL’s Business Development Manager, Diane Miskowski, MPH. “Clients can be assured of EMSL’s accuracy, as we have proudly passed the CDC Legionella Testing Proficiency Program in our Cinnaminson, NJ; Houston, TX; San Leandro, CA; and Manhattan laboratories.”
 
More information about Legionella can be found at www.LegionellaTesting.com. In addition, EMSL has sponsored a public outreach video about the bacteria, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB7g81JxCq0.
 
To learn more about EMSL’s Legionella and other IAQ testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com, or call (800) 220-3675 x 2528.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal agencies. 
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior VP of Marketing

EMSL Analytical Inc.

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com