HHSA launches local Legionnaires' disease hotline

Members of the public who have had stayed at the Discovery Inn in Ukiah, a suspected source of legionella bacteria which causes Legionnaires' disease, may have been exposed to the bacteria between the dates of June, 2014 through August, 2014, as previously reported by the Ukiah Daily Journal.

Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has requested the list of patrons from the hotel owners and has not received complete information, according to HHSA.

If you feel you have been exposed to Legionella or are concerned about symptoms seek medical attention immediately. Contact your primary care doctor or call 707-472-2650 to speak with a public health nurse. If unavailable, the public health nurse will return messages during regular working hours.

Three people were hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the Ukiah area; currently, two people have been discharged, according to HHSA. Staff are working with the property owner of the Discovery Inn and have collected samples from the water systems. No preliminary tests have been made; final test results are expected to be available the week of Aug. 18, according to HHSA.

Legionnaires' disease can have symptoms like many other forms of pneumonia, so it can be hard to diagnose at first. Signs of Legionnaires' disease can include: cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches, headaches and diarrhea. These symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria.

Legionnaires' disease requires treatment with antibiotics, i.e. drugs that kill bacteria in the body; most cases of Legionnaires' disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Healthy people usually get better after being sick with Legionnaires' disease, but hospitalization is often required.

Legionnaires' disease is not spread from one person to another person. Legionnaires' disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. The Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. People get Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor (small droplets of water in the air) containing the bacteria. One example might be from breathing in droplets sprayed from a hot tub that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected. Most people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill.