Legionella Casos

Perry High in Gilbert closed after Legionella bacteria detected.
(USA TODAY - 22/11/2011)
Perry High School will be closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure because Legionella bacteria was detected at the Gilbert municipal library on campus, authorities say.

Monday's closure of the library prompted the Chandler Unified School District to close the high school, district spokeswoman Terry Locke said.

"While there have been no reports of illness, we are taking extra precaution to ensure the safety of our students and staff," Superintendent Camille Casteel said in a statement.

The school will be closed so district officials can conduct more tests. The library was closed after a worker was diagnosed with whooping cough. That led to standard testing that detected Legionella bacteria, Gilbert spokeswoman Beth Lucas said. The bacteria can cause Legionnaire's disease, a serious respiratory illness.