LEGIONELLA

Worker at Lehigh U. stricken with Legionnaires' disease:
Veronica Torrejón Of The Morning Call
4:06 p.m. EDT, September 21, 2009

A contracted worker at Lehigh University has come down with Legionnaires' disease, presumably after coming in contact with bacteria in an HVAC unit at the University Center, officials said.Tests on Saturday confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in one HVAC unit on campus and also confirmed that the worker, whose identity was not released, has Legionnaires' disease, a type of pneumonia, said Lehigh spokeswoman Jennifer Tucker.Tucker said environmental health professionals and infectious disease experts were consulted and believe the case is isolated. Legionnaires' is spread by breathing in vapor contaminated with the bacteria and not from person to person."The minute we thought he might have it we began testing the potable water and the air," said Tucker.The university also notified students and faculty of the case on Saturday by e-mail. According to the e-mailed "health advisory," the University Center remains open. The water system tested negative for the bacteria and the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning system has been treated following recommended protocols."We'll continue testing those units but right now there is no cause for alarm," said Tucker.