File: This representative photo shows the reflection of health workers in the hospital corridor. (Ted S. Warren / AP Photo)
In Writing
UPDATED AT 7:43 AM PT – Friday, January 8, 2021
Portland officials are investigating a deadly outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in a nursing home. On Tuesday, the Multnomah County Health Department said one person has died and four others have been hospitalized at Rosemont Court.
Officials are urging more than 100 residents to move temporarily after several people at the facility reported symptoms. The application occurs with great caution, as legionary disease, which is a more severe form of pneumonia, is not particularly contagious.
“The good news is that it’s not transmitted from person to person,” explained Dr. Jennifer Vines of Multnomah County Health. “It usually comes from some kind of water where there has been some kind of breakdown in water maintenance.”
Some residents of Rosemont Court, north of Portland, are temporarily relocated after 4 people fell ill with the legionnaires ’disease.
“Legionnaires’ disease is a bacterial infection caused by bacteria called Legionella that usually spreads from a water source, ”Dr. Vines.@KOINNews pic.twitter.com/WnQsTXlWFf
– Jacquelyn Abad (@JacquelynAbadTV) January 6, 2021
Officials have said more than 20 residents have already left home, while others decide to stay. Meanwhile, the Department of Health said it is working with building managers to treat the water system, which has been identified as the likely source of the outbreak.