Virginia - Legionella Prevention and Costs of Legionnaires Outbreaks
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Historical Headlines Related to Legionella
September 12, 2024
A Virginia hospital is awaiting results after detecting bacteria inside of some water samples. The hospital’s statement noted that there are no reported cases of illness, including Legionnaires Disease, associated with the facility’s water. During routine scheduled water testing earlier this month, Sentara Princess Anne Hospital detected Legionella serogroups 2-15 in some water samples collected. SPAH implemented remediation to address the findings in accordance with the hospitals water management plan, and out of an abundance of caution an infection prevention team is on standby to quickly identify cases of confirmed legionellosis and initiate tracing to identify the source. Additional water testing was conducted with final results pending. There have been no reported cases of illnesses, associated with the sources of the water, including Legionnaires disease. (Source)
August 23, 2024
State-run Hiram W. Davis Medical Center, a hospital that houses some of the most mentally and physically vulnerable, is closing after 50 years. Documents obtained through a public records request showed uncontrolled levels of legionella were repeatedly detected in the water in showers, sinks, and ice machines at the state-run facility in 2021, 2022, 2023, and most recently, in March 2024. A spokesperson for DBHDS said that the bacteria is within the plumbing system, and the conditions within the aging pipes at the building caused the problem. The agency has been working with the water vendor, and the health department, and they have contracted with experts in legionella mitigation to develop a plan to manage the issue. (Source)
June 20, 2024
An infectious disease microbiologist who studies Legionella said she believed the overall risk to residents and staff at a Virginia medical center of contracting a serious type of pneumonia from Legionella bacteria in the water is low. Dr. Janet Stout was shown water testing records that were obtained through a public records request that showed uncontrolled levels of Legionella were repeatedly detected in the water in showers, sinks, and ice machines at a state-run facility in 2021, 2022, 2023 and, most recently, in March 2024. (Source)
March 8, 2023
An insurer has duty to defend a Legionella bacteria suit in a case where a man was allegedly injured when he inhaled Legionella bacteria while using a hot tub and pool at a Best Western. Neither the bacteria exclusion nor the pollution exclusion applied to bar coverage. (Source)
October 27, 2022
Stafford County Public Schools is conducting tests before turning on water fountains that have been turned off since before the pandemic. In 2020, the school division shut down and sealed all water fountains as a strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many fountains have not reopened since then, and the school division has been providing bottled water to students and staff. “Since the fountains had not been in use for two years, we wanted to test them to make sure there had been no bacteria growth,” Fulmer said. (Source)
May 25, 2022
Professor Kathy Gee has earned a grant for rainwater testing research. The results will be used to evaluate the risk to human health posed by rainwater harvesting systems containing Legionella. (Source).
2021
Legionnaires’ disease continues to make headlines today. In 2019, health officials began scouring sites in Chesterfield County following 10 cases of Legionnaires' disease among older adults and people with underlying medical conditions. Health officials said culture results indicated the presence of live Legionella bacteria at Johnston-Willis Hospital, Reynolds Metal Company, Ice Zone and the U.S. Defense Supply Center. In 2018, there were 236 cases of Legionnaire’s disease in Virginia.
2021
In 2018, there were 236 cases of Legionnaire’s disease in Virginia.
Reported Settlements and Jury Awards
Given the incidence of legionella in Virginia, and its associated harm, personal injury claims and litigation are also becoming more frequent. Reported settlements and jury awards are unavailable at this time.
State Cap on Jury Awards
Virginia does not have a cap on the award amounts allowable by law. In addition, public health notices and negative media attention can also lead to business interruption and reputation damage.
Groundwater Temperature Risk Level – Medium
Overall Liabliity and Risk for Virginia – High
No, ASHRAE 188 is not part of the state code
