Three former residents and one employee at Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., contracted Legionnaires' disease, according to the Times Union.
Two of the residents — staying at the facility for short-term rehabilitation — and the employee are out of the hospital and expected to recover from the condition. The third resident suffers from multiple comorbidities and was readmitted to Saratoga Hospital after becoming increasingly ill upon his initial release. The source of the outbreak is unknown.
According to the Union, the New York State Department of Health said in a news release, "The investigation is in its preliminary stages and there are several potential sources being investigated ... as a precautionary step, and to help prevent additional cases of Legionnaires' disease, state DOH has recommended water restrictions for the facility. Legionnaires' disease is not a communicable disease and is not transmitted from person to person."
The DOH added that it is currently investigating two additional cases of Legionnaires', though it is unclear if there is any connection between the cases and the Wesley facility.
Legionnaires', a form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, can be contracted by inhaling mist from infected water sources such as air-conditioning facilities, steam rooms and plumbing systems.
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