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Legionnaires' disease could be cause of Clermont death, health officials say

Orlando Sentinel - 6/15/2017

June 15--The Florida Department of Health is investigating a Clermont retirement community and whether a resident's death is a result of Legionnaires' disease, a department official said Thursday.

Throat secretion samples of the man have been sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation of a third case of Legionnaires' disease at the Summit Greens 55-and-over community, said Giselle Barreto, an epidemiologist with the state health department.

The two residents who had confirmed cases have fully recovered and no Legionella bacteria have been found at the facility, Barreto said. The investigation into the retirement community will be closed July 4 "if no additional cases present themselves," she said.

"On May 25th we received a report of a positive Legionella case ... and the next day we received another two cases with similar symptoms," Barreto said. "And there, we started the investigation."

The cases come on the heels of another four cases tied to customers of two LA Fitness gyms in Orlando, one in MetroWest and another in Hunter's Creek.

Legionella bacteria grow on pipes when a "biofilm" grows on the surface and is turned into an airborne mist through hot tubs, showers and whirlpools, Barreto said.

Summit Greens, which is located off State Road 50 and Hancock Road, has been inspected by the health department since its opening and "all the inspections of that pool have come back satisfactory," she said.

"When we heard about this case we did an additional inspection above what we normally do and, at that time, there was no cause for concern," she said.

Despite this, Summit Greens has drained the pools and hot tubs, scrubbed them clean and applied the appropriate chemicals before refilling it, she said. Barreto believes the pools closed June 6 and re-opened Monday.

In an email response to the Sentinel, Summit Greens representatives provided negative test results for Legionella bacteria at their facilities and did not respond to other questions.

The department suggested an ongoing "maintenance schedule" at Summit Greens, where the water's chlorine and acidity levels are checked throughout the day and week.

Symptoms of Legionnaire's disease are fever -- usually greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit -- shortness of breath, coughing and pneumonia.

"We urge residents in this area who believe they've been exposed to please seek treatment and testing from their medical provider as soon possible," Barreto said.

jruiter@orlandosentinel.com or 352-742-5927.

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