South Carolina - Legionella Prevention and Costs of Legionnaires Outbreaks

February 21, 2025

After a bout with Legionnaires’ Disease, Master Officer Tyrone Williams plunged him into a coma for two weeks, temporarily robbing him of the ability to walk, and his career as a State Transport Police officer. Williams bounced back stronger and more resilient than before. “I don’t know what God has for me yet,” Williams said, more than two years after his remarkable comeback. “But He wasn’t done with me.” In November 2022, while preparing to leave his house for work one afternoon, Williams fainted face-first in his doorway. His 10-year-old daughter called for help, but after being rushed to an urgent care center, he was sent home to recover. The next day, he visited his doctor. “When she stuck the stick down my throat, I coughed and blood came up,” Williams said. Williams’ physician insisted he go to a local hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia, sepsis, and kidney failure. Still, his condition worsened and his symptoms left doctors perplexed. The disease left lasting damage in its wake. After two weeks of taking in nothing but IV fluids, Williams had not only lost more than 100 pounds, but also the ability to walk, eat, and other basic functions. (Source)

February 21, 2025

A South Carolina man died after using a hot tub contaminated with Legionella bacteria. The fatal incident has led to a lawsuit alleging negligence in the maintenance and sanitation of the hot tub. Documents allege that the hot tub was sold while it was contaminated with legionella bacteria “without making any effort to sanitize the hot tub, warn plaintiff and plaintiff’s decedent and legionella contamination or provide adequate instructions to allow [both] to sanitize the hot tub." (Source)

December 26, 2024

A recent investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control linked an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease to a manufacturing facility’s water jet cutters and floor scrubbers. The outbreak, which occurred between August and November 2022, resulted in 34 cases of legionellosis, 15 hospitalizations, and two deaths. A comprehensive environmental investigation involved testing 316 water samples from various sources within the facility. Legionella bacteria were detected in samples from two water jet cutters, which operated with water temperatures ideal for bacterial growth, and one-floor scrubber used to clean water overspray from the jet cutters. The machines’ ability to aerosolize water made them effective vectors for spreading Legionella bacteria throughout the facility. (Source)

March 29, 2023

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control researchers have identified and confirmed one case of Legionnaire’s Disease amongst the residents at the Ridgeway Manor Healthcare Center. Four more probable cases were identified and are being investigated after reviewing a list of all residents who reported lower respiratory illness during the last 12 months, lived at the facility, and who had no alternative diagnosis. The well water sample taken at the facility tested negative for the presence of Legionella. The investigation into the source or sources of Legionnaires’ at this facility is ongoing. (Source)

March 15, 2023

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is investigating Legionnaires’ Disease cases at a Midlands nursing home. DHEC said multiple cases are being investigated in relation to the Ridgeway Manor Healthcare Center. The department said, “The facility’s staff have been cooperating with DHEC’s investigation, which includes efforts to identify the source or sources of the Legionella bacteria.” (Source)

December 7, 2022

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases that has included 13 people so far. DHEC’s investigation includes efforts to determine the source of the disease cluster in the community, which can be quite complex. It is often not possible to determine the origin of the bacteria that has infected people as water from cooling towers, hot tubs, misters, decorative fountains and plumbing systems are all possible sources of infection. (Source)

November 30, 2022

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease cases involving thirteen people. DHEC’s investigation includes efforts to determine the source of the disease cluster in the community. DHEC said it is often not possible to determine the origin of the bacteria that infected people as water from cooling towers, hot tubs, misters, decorative fountains and plumbing systems are all possible sources of infection. (Source)

October 27, 2022

An investigation is being performed by South Carolina's top health agency of recently-identified Legionnaires' disease cases in Richland County. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced in a health advisory on Friday that it had found cases of the disease along with "individuals with clinically compatible illness" who work at a manufacturing facility in Richland County. (Source)

October 20, 2022

The top health agency in South Carolina is investigating cases of recently-identified Legionnaires' disease in Richland County. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced that it had found cases of the disease along with "individuals with clinically compatible illness" who work at a manufacturing facility in Richland County. (Source)