Chelan-Douglas Health District continues to see higher-than-usual reports of Legionella disease in our community. Legionella is a waterborne bacterium that can cause a severe form of pneumonia and a milder flu-like illness. Early recognition and prompt reporting are critical to prevent additional cases and to aid in identifying environmental sources.
Legionella must be reported to Chelan-Douglas Health District within 24 hours. Please call (509) 886-6400 or (509) 886-6499 outside of normal business hours, including nights and weekends. Hablamos español.
Please be alert and consider legionella in patients presenting with:
- Fever, chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
- Confusion
- Elevated liver enzymes
Dr. James Wallace, the CDHD Health Officer, requests that healthcare providers obtain a sputum sample in addition to a urine sample from individuals that are suspected of having legionella.
The illness is more common and poses greater danger among individuals:
- Over the age of 65
- Currently or previously smoke tobacco or other substances
- Have diabetes
- Have chronic lung disease like asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis or COPD
- Have illness or medication-related immunosuppression
Chelan-Douglas recently discussed and posted a video on their YouTube channel on Legionella from their Notifiable Conditions Series in February.
Resources for Providers
- Legionellosis – Notifiable Condition | Washington State Department of Health
- How Legionella Spreads | Legionella | CDC
- Legionnaire’s Disease | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Contact
To report suspected cases of legionella, or for any other questions, please call (509) 886-6400 Monday – Friday or (509) 886-6499 afterhours, including nights and weekends. Hablamos español.
For general, non-urgent questions you can also send an email CD-Epi@cdhd.wa.gov. Please do not include any Protected Health Information (PHI) that could identify a patient or link them to a specific medical condition.