QUINCY, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting two more deaths from Legionnaires’ disease after an outbreak at a western Illinois veterans’ home.
The new cases increase the number of residents contaminated at the Quincy veterans’ home to 29. An agency spokeswoman confirmed the recent fatalities to The Associated Press on Monday.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, with lung inflammation usually caused by infection. Most people get it from inhaling the Legionella bacteria, which is not transmitted from person to person.
The outbreak was first reported last week. Tests to determine the source of the outbreak continue.