BRACKENRIDGE, Pa. — The Allegheny County Health Department has confirmed that someone associated with a Brackenridge nursing facility tested positive for Legionnaires' disease, according to Channel 11's news exchange partners at TribLIVE.
TribLIVE also reported that the health department has been unable to confirm whether the person became infected at the facility or was exposed to Legionella bacteria elsewhere, even though the water system there tested positive for the bacteria.
Platinum Ridge Center for Rehabilitation and Healing is providing bottled water to residents until the water has been found to be free of the bacteria. The water was tested Nov. 4.
Facility officials have not said what steps they are taking to find the source of the bacteria and health officials have not said whether the person who tested positive Legionnaires’ disease is a patient or an employee.
Legionnaires' disease is spread by breathing mist contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, vomiting and diarrhea. It can be fatal to people with compromised immune systems.
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