3 dead, 20 hospitalized after Legionella outbreak at Albany senior center

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A third person has died and 20 more people have been hospitalized this past week after a Legionella outbreak at the Peregrine Shaker Senior Living Community in Albany. The center confirmed 10 positive cases of Legionnaires disease on Thursday.

Legionnaires disease is a type of pneumonia that can be deadly for those who are older and have compromised immune systems. However, doctors said that this is not a public health risk, because the spread is very contained.

“This is not a transmissible infection, people can't give it to other people, it's not something we worry about as a communicable disease," said Dr. Alan Sanders, the chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Albany Medical Center.

Instead of spreading through people, this bacteria is oftentimes spread through sources, like water.

"It's inhaled through water droplets and aerosolization of the bacteria, so people inhale it and it sets up shop in the lungs,” said Dr. Sanders. “It resides in mostly water supplies, everything from cooling towers to air conditioning systems, shower heads."

Albany County spokesperson Mary Rozak confirmed that the Legionella bacteria was found in some samples of water at the senior center. Dr. Sanders said about 75% of people who get sick are over the age of 50.

“It's not a very common pneumonia, it's down the list for what we call community-acquired pneumonia," said Dr. Sanders. "But when it does hit, it can be very very severe, it can be lethal in a lot of people."

According to the New York State Department of Health, 10% of people with community-acquired Legionnaires disease die from it nationally.

Albany County began investigating and testing the water last Friday, since then, the Peregrine Shaker facility has been adding water filters and giving out water bottles so that residents can stay hydrated, shower and wash their hands safely.

In part of a statement, Krystin Ganim, the executive director of the Peregrine Shaker Senior Living Community said she wants to ensure people know that the community is completely safe.

"Since that time, we have installed advanced water filters in as many locations as possible,
including in designated bathing and showering locations. We are rapidly sourcing and installing
these filters in each of our resident apartments, along with one of the best water source treatment systems available for our entire resident community," said Ganim.

The disease has symptoms that vary from respiratory problems, to headaches, fevers, and even stomach-aches and diarrhea. However, it can typically be cured with antibiotics.

Dr. Sanders said the senior center will have to do repeated testing on the water to ensure the bacteria is cleared. In the meantime, he wants people inside the center to use caution.

"Be mindful about standing water that's not being circulated well, so, you know, air conditioning units, windows that are maybe old, we worry about that you know old plumbing systems," said Dr. Sanders.

For more information on Legionnaires disease, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's website.