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 June 18, 2026
When an employee was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease at St. Louis Public Schools Central Office facility, an investigation into the source was launched. While this investigation unfolded, the Public School system took some proactive measures to reduce additional risk until more information became available.
How was the problem discovered? What is being done about it? Should parents be concerned about their students? What is Legionnaires’ disease and how do you know if you have it?
Here’s what we know so far about Legionnaires’ disease at St. Louis Public Schools!
An employee at St. Louis Public Schools was recently diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. A dangerous type of lung infection caused by inhaling contaminated water. This reportable illness made it to Missouri Health Officials, who launched an investigation to determine the source and remove the threat to public health.
Part of this investigation involves looking into where the sick individual has been in the two week prior to experiencing symptoms. Presumably, those would be potential places they would have been exposed.
For example, has the person traveled, been to any big buildings, do any of the buildings have cooling towers (common sources of Legionnaires’ disease). In this case, at least one of the potential sources was their place of employment. Likely due to the use of cooling towers for the buildings air conditioning needs.
The employee worked at the St. Louis Public Schools Central Office administration building. For confidentiality purposes, the employee’s name remains anonymous.
Fortunately, as of last week, no additional cases have been reported.
Following discover of Legionnaires’ disease at St. Louis Public Schools employee working in the Central Office administration building, health officials began collecting samples and screening them for potential pathogens.
Preliminary results revealed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the buildings’ water and cooling systems.
For transparency, St. Louis Public Schools explained that testing was conducted due to notification of an illness, and not due to a potential plumbing problem at the campus.
“The testing for Legionella was not initiated because of the recent water intrusion issues or the emergency plumbing incident at Central Office. instead, on May 27, 2026, SLPS was notified by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services that it had been contacted regarding a case of Legionnaires’ disease involving a district employee.”
However, these “intrusions issues” and the “emergency plumbing incident” may have been factors for potential contamination.
A St. Louis Public Schools statement also hedged that “while initial testing detected the presence of the bacteria, this was a screening test and not designed to determine whether the bacteria are alive or present at levels of concern to health officials.”
Additional testing involving growing a culture out on a growth medium will determine if the sample obtained contained live Legionella bacteria or remnants of dead germs killed during sanitation processes. If the screening test involved a quick DNA analysis, it is true that DNA from dead organisms will be identified as easily as DNA from live ones.
So, what are school officials doing about the situation?
In addition to testing efforts, employees working in the Central Office (801 N. 11th Street) have been moved to other locations within the district until final results were available. Some are working remotely.
It is unclear how long these staff members will be displaced with temporary work arrangements. For now, the plan is “until further notice.”
St. Louis Public Schools officials say, “we will plan to follow all applicable guidance from environmental and health experts before returning the building to normal operation.”
The finial results of potable water and cooling tower sampling have finally come back.
According to those tests (both PCR and culture-based testing), the drinking water at the facility is safe. “No evidence of viable Legionella bacteria in potable (drinking) water samples.
Two cooling tower treatment tank locations were also sampled. Results indicated low levels of Legionella. Though, according to the report, “cooling tower concentrations were well below CDC and industry guidance thresholds and are consistent with a properly maintained and controlled system.”
In response to these findings, the District is:
Concerned parents may be wondering if the Legionnaires’ disease at St. Louis Public Schools situation could impact their students.
Fortunately, there is nothing to worry about in that situation.
The problem occurred in an administration building. Student exposure is unlikely.
St. Louis Public Schools expect employees will be able to return to their home facility and regular operations at the Central Office in early July. A date of Monday, July 6, 2026 has been indicated, “unless conditions materially change.”
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria suspended in aerosolized water droplets. Essentially 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. But anything that generates a mist or spray can spread bacteria. Fixtures like hot tubs, decorative fountains and water features, and even shower heads and sink faucets. These germs love warm water. So things like hot tubs, hot water tanks and heaters, and cooling towers (like those used in large building’s air-cooling systems or industrial processes). Large, complex plumbing systems, especially those under construction or with dead legs are especially vulnerable to Legionella growth.
Fortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. Person to person spread is extremely rare!
If you have become sick with a pneumonia-like illness after working at or visiting the St. Louis Public Schools Central Office building or surrounding area, you may have contracted Legionnaires’ disease. There are a few things you should keep in mind.
Legionnaires’ disease treatment has much better outcomes if proper diagnosis is determined early. If your healthcare provider is not aware of Legionnaires’ disease risk, they may not perform the necessary tests to accurately diagnose your illness. Indicate your potential exposure so that laboratory tests can be run.
Legionnaires’ disease can be a costly illness, both financially and to your life. Most illnesses require hospitalization and extended treatment. The burdens of this illness add up. It is a good idea to get advice from an experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer.
If you wish to pursue a legal claim for financial compensation to cover medical expenses, lost work, caring for a loved one, or other burdens associated with Legionnaires’ disease illness, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer that can help.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)