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| Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease in Vermont Traced to Prison |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 08/26/2002 |
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An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease has sickened more than a dozen people and prompted disinfecting efforts at a state office complex to fend off the potentially deadly infection. A total of 16 people have contracted the disease since late July, including 14 who spent time in Waterbury. Seven others have a milder form of the infection. All but one of the victims were out of the hospital as of August 14. State health officials said they could not comment on the last patient's condition. 'People are watching this very carefully,' said Anne Noonan, director of the Vermont State Employees' Association. 'We are hopeful that very few people have been exposed, but we don't know.' The first case was reported in late July when a former inmate at the state women's prison, located at the complex, contracted the disease. More than 1,500 people live and work at the complex, a sprawling campus of 39 buildings where many state agencies are headquartered. The complex, a former state hospital, has not been closed. Five of those who were infected are state employees, Health Commissioner Jan Carney said. Seven others live or spend time in the town of Waterbury, and two were prison inmates, she said. Health officials said a sample taken last week from an air conditioning cooling tower at the complex tested positive for the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease. Even if the source has been eliminated, other cases could spring up because Legionnaire's disease has an incubation period of up to 10 days. |
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