Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionnaire's disease,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on August 10, 2025
The Allegria Village retirement community is the subject of a cooperative public health investigation between local, state, and federal partners following reports of two Legionnaires’-related deaths. Another non-fatal case from last summer is being revisited as well.
How was this cluster of illnesses discovered? What is Legionnaire’s disease, and how bad is it? How do you know if you have Legionnaires’ disease? Follow along for this, and more as we dig into this Legionnaires’ disease cluster at this Allegria Village retirement community.
Wayne County health officials launched an investigation at Allegria Village retirement community following reports of two Legionnaires’ disease deaths. When the second reported death involved another resident of Allegria Village retirement community, local health officials were concerned.
After a little digging, another Legionnaires’ disease case from last August came to light. This, non-fatal Legionnaires’ disease case may be an indication of a long-term problems at the facility.
Residents indicated that Allegria Village administrators explained that the Legionella contamination was confined to a single building.
In a statement by chief medical officer Dr. Avani Sheth, Wayne County Health Human, and Veterans Services says, “testing of the affected area’s water system has detected the presence of Legionella bacteria, the organism that causes Legionnaires’ disease.
Most cases of Legionnaires’ disease involve hot tubs and cooling towers.
Legionnaires’ disease is a Legionella bacterial infection that affects the lungs. You get Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling those microscopic bacteria that are suspended in aerosolized water droplets from a contaminated water source.
These bacteria naturally live in freshwater environments (lakes, streams, etc.). But they can also grow in human-made water systems.
Certain human-made water systems are better suited for growing and spreading harmful Legionella bacteria than others. Those that create a mist or hold stagnant water rank higher on the list.
Most cases of Legionnaires’ disease involve hot tubs and cooling towers.
Even more rare, but possible, people may become infected by drinking water contaminated with Legionella bacteria if it accidentally reaches someone’s lungs after it is swallowed. This happens when water “goes down the wrong hole” or in cases of near drowning.
Common fixtures/systems that spread Legionella bacteria
Fortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is NOT contagious. Unlike other respiratory infections, Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person-to-person. This type of transmission is extremely rare.
Nearly all cases of Legionnaires’ disease link back to contaminated water systems.
Dr. Sheth explains that the county is now “supporting Allegria Village as they work to implement immediate response efforts, including disinfection and remediation of affected areas, temporary water restrictions and provisions of alternative water sources where necessary, ongoing environmental testing to ensure effectiveness of remediation efforts, and education residents and staff on seeking prompt medical evaluation if they develop symptoms.”
Allegria Village is a 55+ retirement and assisted living facility. Residents in this type of facility have increased risk factors for Legionnaires’ disease.
Not everyone exposed to Legionella bacteria become sick. But certain people are more likely to become sick if exposed, and experience more serious illness if infected.
Those at higher risk include:
All potential conditions those in this demographic may have. Making preventions measure in the community more important than ever.
If you have stayed, visited, or worked at Allegria Village retirement community, look out for the following symptoms:
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.
There is no vaccine to prevent Legionnaires’ disease, and prior infection does not contribute to future immunity.
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms should be taken very seriously.
Statistically, 1 in 10 individuals with Legionnaires’ disease will die from complication of their illness. In a health care setting like this, this risk elevates to 1 in 4.
That is a 25% mortality rate.
Outcomes are significantly improved with early, targeted treatment. So prompt diagnosis is important.
If, over the past year, you have fallen ill with pneumonia, your illness may have been more complicated than you thought.
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.
If you become sick with pneumonia and you live, have visited, or work at Allegria Village retirement community, you may have Legionnaires’ disease.
If you live, have visited, or work at Allegria Village retirement community over the past year, you should report your illness. Even if your situation has improved.
It will be too late for laboratory tests once you have recovered, but symptoms consistent with Legionnaires’ disease may be associated with “probable illnesses” in outbreak investigation statistics.
If you are currently sick, seek medical attention right away. Prompt diagnosis and treatment specifically formulated to help resolve Legionella bacterial infection can significantly improve patient outcomes.
Notify your heath care provider of your exposure risk.
If you have become sick with Legionnaires’ disease, reach out to a Legionnaires’ disease Lawyer for advice.
An experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer can help you through this difficult process and receive the compensation that you deserve.
If you or a family member has visited or stayed at Allegria Village retirement community in Dearborn, Michigan and has been impacted by Legionnaires’ disease, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully represented many families with cases just like yours. Their Legionnaires’ disease lawyer has won millions of dollars in Legionnaires’ disease cases throughout the country.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send 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.
Don’t wait. Call today!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)