Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionella,Legionnaire's disease,Outbreaks & Recalls on March 13, 2025
The Town of Trumble evacuated nearly 200 residents due to concerns of Legionella at Genesis St. Joseph in response to reports from the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Health officials warned The Town of Trumble of a water issue, prompting town officials to activate the “Long-Term Care Emergency Plan.” A plan created to evacuate and relocate patients to skilled nursing facilities across the state.
This is not a drill!
How did this evacuation take place and why is Legionella a more serious concern at a long-term care facility?
Follow along to find out!
First, let’s look at the timeline.
On March 5, 2025, the Connecticut Department of Public Health informed Town of Trumbull officials of a water issue at the Genesis St. Joseph’s Center.
Town officials coordinated with the State of Connecticut Department of Health officials to initiate the contingency plan to move patients from long-term care facilities to other skilled nursing facilities across the state.
State and local authorities, a number of first responders, and transportation companies were assembled to transport the 187 patients across the state.
This included the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the State of Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Trumbull EMS, Trumbull Emergency Management, Trumbull Fire, Trumble Police, over two dozen EMS agencies and wheelchair livery services from around the state.
EMS agencies, ambulance services, wheelchair vans, and livery services transported 66 patients to 23 different skilled nursing facilities.
Another 50 patients began evacuation to other facilities across the state. Operations were expected to continue throughout the day.
By 10:42 a.m. all residents were safely evacuated from Genesis St. Joseph’s Center in Trumbull.
A coordinated effort by the Town of Trumbull and other agencies made this evacuation effort a success.
In a statement, updated the status of the evacuation and ongoing efforts dealing with Legionella at Genesis St. Joseph and how to track down loved ones.
“Officials assure the public that all residents are safe, comfortable, and being well cared for during this process. Families wishing to check on the status of their loved ones can contact Genesis St. Joseph’s Center directly at 203-268-6204.”
The evacuation took place due to a water issue at the Genesis St. Joseph’s Center facility at 6448 Main Street. According to reports, “Teresian Towers and Carmel Ridge are not impacted.”
Officials are unable to estimate the timeline for the water issue involving Legionella at Genesis St. Jospeh for now. They do not know when residents will be able to return to the facility.
While anyone can become sick with Legionnaires’ disease if exposed to Legionella bacteria, certain people are at higher risk.
Certain locations, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, and other group or senior living facilities are especially higher risk. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in four people who get Legionnaires’ disease in a healthcare facility will die from their illness.
This is because these facilities typically serve populations at greater risk for Legionnaires’ disease.
People at increased risk include:
Fortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious. Meaning, you cannot spread the illness from person to person.
People become infected when they inhale aerosolized water droplets containing the harmful Legionella bacteria. Those germs make their way into the lungs where they cause illness.
Common sources of Legionella bacteria include:
If you have been exposed to Legionella at Genesis St. Joseph Center care facility, you should monitor for symptoms for 2 weeks after your potential exposure.
Common symptoms include typical pneumonia symptoms such as acute onset of lower respiratory illness with fever and/or cough.
Other symptoms may include:
Diagnosis is particularly tricky, as Legionnaires’ disease often presents like other pnuemonial illnesses. It can even be indistinguishable on a chest x-ray. Specialized tests are required to identify a Legionella bacterial infection.
If you or a loved one becomes sick with Legionnaires’ disease following exposure to Legionella at Genesis St. Joseph, it is a good idea to get legal advice from an experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer.
If you or a loved one become sick from exposure to Legionella at Genesis St. Joseph in The Town of Trumbull, Connecticut and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC specializes in Legionnaires’ disease cases and has helped countless families receive the justice they deserve.
According to the CDC, nine out of ten healthcare-associated outbreaks could have been prevented with effective water management.
Becoming sick from negligence can be a costly and potentially fatal outcome.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send us an email for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation and determine if you have a legal case.
Get the justice you deserve! Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)