Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionella,Legionnaire's disease,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on January 31, 2026
At least one resident at Shapiro Developmental Center has fallen sick with a deadly pneumonia-like illness known as Legionnaires’ disease.
Why is one confirmed illness at a health care facility a big issue? This lung infection is often caused by inadequate water treatment. Which means there are possibly other residents at risk of contracting it. The type of facility involved also increases certain risks.
What is Legionnaires’ disease and how exactly is it spread? How do you know if you have Legionnaires’ disease? What is the state of Illinois doing about this situation?
Here’s what we know about the report of Legionnaires’ disease at Shapiro Developmental Center so far.
The Shapiro Developmental Center, located in Kankakee, Illinois is being investigated for potential Legionella bacterial contamination in their water supply. The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Human Services have confirmed at least one case of Legionnaires’ disease associated with the facility.
The Center is home to adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and currently houses 464 adults. Of which 44% are considered profoundly disabled. According to the Illinois Department of Health Services, “Shapiro Center serves people who exhibit severe behavioral problems, have significant medical issues, and are medically fragile.”
For the “medically fragile,” this facility not only serves as a residence. But also, a medical care facility. Making the discovery of a potential Legionnaires’ disease exposure source in the Center even more serious.
One in 20 people exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick with Legionnaires’ disease, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One in 10 people who become infected with Legionnaires’ disease will die due to complications associated with their illness. When infection takes place in a health care facility, mortality rate increases dramatically. In those cases, the rate of death can increase to a whopping one in four.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a type of waterborne bacteria called Legionella. It causes a pneumonia-like illness that is often overlooked but easily treated if properly diagnosed.
Fortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. Person-to-person is so rare, it is unlikely.
These microorganisms typically live in natural water environments like lakes, streams, and rivers. Not something you typically find on a medical campus. So how do they spread there?
In a natural environment (like bodies of water), infection is rare. The problem comes when these bacteria make their way into man-made water systems.
No specific information about testing records or current test results are available to the public at this time.
However, there are a number of different ways this bacterium could make its way into the Shapiro Developmental Center water supply.
Sometimes bacteria are picked up with evaporating water and carried by rain clouds. They may be later deposited near cooling towers on tops of buildings. Nearby buildings with infected cooling towers can also spread the germ from one water system to another.
They can also be deposited in reservoirs of water treatment facilities, where small amounts of the bacteria are piped to homes and businesses.
A small number of bacteria often goes unnoticed. However, certain contributing factors can allow the bacteria to grow into infectious quantities (such as construction, dead legs, and stagnant water). This, paired with routes of dissemination, can become a major problem.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria. This often happens when these bacteria contaminate a water supply and become suspended in aerosolized water droplets. Something like water mist.
Inhaling this mist can move these waterborne bacteria into your lungs where they can cause infection. Certain human-made water systems are better suited for growing and spreading harmful Legionella bacteria.
Put simply. Anything that generates a mist or spray can spread bacteria.
Common sources of Legionnaires’ disease include:
In addition to cooling towers and hot water tanks, some of the more uncommon sources can be found in hospitals. Ventilators, humidifiers, and other breathing devices.
Not everyone who is exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. Most normally healthy individuals will not become infected. However, certain groups of people are at higher risk of infection if exposed.
Higher risk groups include:
People who stayed at, visited, or worked at Shapiro Developmental Center, especially those in these higher risk groups, should monitor themselves for symptoms.
Most people with Legionnaires’ disease are never diagnosed with this illness. This is because symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are very similar to other types of pneumonia illnesses. In fact, Legionnaires’ disease is often indistinguishable from regular pneumonia, even on a chest x-ray.
Specialized tests are required for an accurate diagnosis.
Common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
These symptoms usually begin around 2 to 14 days after exposure. However, in some cases, illness may take longer to present.
Other symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.
According to Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Department of Health Services, the facility is currently implementing safety measures, testing potential sources, and monitoring staff and residents for symptoms.
“Immediate control measures were taken to restrict use of potential sources of exposure, and testing those sources is underway,” the agencies said in a statement. “Those test results are still pending. IDPH and IDHS continue to work with facility staff to ensure all appropriate safety measures are implemented, including monitoring staff and residents for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, and prompt testing as needed.”
If you have recently been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease at Shapiro Developmental Center, you may have a legal case.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially deadly illness that can require extensive hospitalization. Medical bills and other expenses associated with the burden of Legionnaires’ disease illness add up.
An experienced Legionnaires’ disease Lawyer can help you navigate this difficult process and help you receive financial compensation for your illness.
If you wish to pursue a legal claim for financial compensation, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help. Call (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation. A member of our compassionate team will go over the details of your situation to determine if you have a legal case.
Call today to get the help and justice you deserve!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)