Image by Joachim Schnürle from Pixabay
A cluster of Legionnaires’ disease at Alden Valley Ridge Rehabilitation Center and the surrounding area prompts Health Department investigation.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is assisting DuPage County Health Department in investigating these illnesses.
Here’s what we know about the situation so far.
Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease in people who were either at or near the Alden Valley Ridge Valley Rehabilitation and Health Center prompted an onsite visit. The rehabilitation center, located in Bloomingdale, Illinois was found to be the source of these illnesses.
Both patients have since recovered from their illnesses.
According to IDPH, State Environmental Health staff conducted an onsite visit at Alden Valley Ridge Rehabilitation Center on September 22, 2025. Samples were collected and tested for the presence of Legionella bacteria.
The organism responsible for Legionnaires’ disease.
Testing on these samples was performed by the state laboratory. Legionella pneumophilia bacteria was detected in both the facility’s cooling tower and in the sick patient’s room.
In response to this discovery, IDPH has ordered certain activities and recommendations for the facility to handle Legionnaires’ disease at Alden Valley Ridge Rehabilitation Center and reduce the risk of future illnesses.
The facility is cooperating with the investigation.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious, but preventable, illness It is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria.
These bacteria are naturally occurring is fresh water sources (lakes, streams, rivers, etc.), it becomes a big problem when they make their way into building water systems.
Cooling towers are a significant source of Legionnaires’ disease. As are other water fixtures like hot tubs, shower faucets, decorative fountains, and dead legs in plumbing. Among others.
If these bacteria are allowed to grow, people can become sick. Some may die.
Only specialized laboratory tests can accurately diagnose Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is often confused with other pneumonia-like illnesses, as many symptoms overlap for both conditions. It is even indistinguishable from typical pneumonia on a chest x-ray.
Most people begin feeling sick between two and 14 days after exposure. However, it can take longer for symptoms to appear in some cases.
Severity of symptoms can vary from person to person.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Other Symptoms may include:
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.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 20 people exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. Rates of illness are high. And so is mortality rate. An unfortunate 1 in 10 will die from their infection. When infection occurs in a healthcare setting, like this cluster of Legionnaires’ disease at Alden Valley Ridge Rehabilitation and Health Center, this chances of death increase to a whopping 1 in 4.
As with most illnesses, those with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of becoming sick. As are current and even former smokers and those with chronic lung conditions. Conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or emphysema. Those over 50 years of age are also at greater risk of illness after exposure.
A cooling tower has been identified as the likely source of Legionnaires’ disease at Alden Valley Rehabilitation and Health Center. Cooling towers can spread the bacteria both within the building and around it.
For this reason, Dr. Rashmi Chugh, the Medical officer at DuPage County Health Department, urges testing for those with symptoms in the area.
“We urge any persons who have visited or been within two miles of the Alden Valley Ridge facility located at 275 E. Army Trail Rd. in Bloomingdale within the last month who are currently experiencing pneumonia symptoms – cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches and/or fever – to see a doctor right away for testing.”
While testing and treatment is not needed for those without symptoms, for those experiencing illness, “early treatment of Legionnaires’ disease reduces the severity of the illness and improves your chances of recovery.
According to IDPH, Legionnaires’ disease cases have been on the rise in 2025. In fact, 287 cases have been reported in the state so far in 2025 alone.
Legionnaires’ disease is a reportable illness in the state of Illinois. Meaning, any identified cases must reported to the local health department within three days. This timely reporting helps identify clusters of illnesses and deploys resources to areas to determine the source. A measure that can help reduce additional illnesses.
If you become sick with pneumonia or flu-like symptoms after visiting or staying in the Alden Valley Rehabilitation Center in the Bloomingdale area, you may have Legionnaires’ disease.
If you have become sick with pneumonia-like illness, seek medical attention immediately.
Legionnaires’ disease can be deadly. Do not wait!
Request a diagnostic test for Legionnaires’ disease. If your healthcare provider does not suggest one, notify them of the potential exposure risk.
If you test positive for this illness, your local health department will be notified following your diagnosis. Someone may contact you about your illness to ask questions that may help narrow down a source.
IDPH explains that the likely source of this illness cluster has been identified. However, as this information becomes more widely known, more cases could widen the scope of this outbreak.
For this reason, it is important to make a list of the places that you have been in the weeks prior to becoming sick. The earlier that you can make this list, the more complete and accurate it will be. Have it ready in case you are asked for it.
This information is important, in that it could narrow or expand the scope of this Legionnaires’ disease investigation and help prevent further spread of this deadly infection.
If you have become sick from living, working, or visiting the Alden Valley Rehabilitation Center area, you may have questions. An experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer understands your situation and can assist you through the complicated legal process.
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.
Legionnaires’ disease is a preventable illness. This type of illness spreads when lapses in required maintenance allow the growth of this harmful microorganism.
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 case.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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