PARMA, Ohio — The Cuyahoga County Board of Health announced a patient who spent time at the Broadview Multi-Care Center in Parma has been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease.
Health officials can’t determine the specific source of the bacteria at this time, but as a precaution, the water system has been shut off while the investigation into the source continues.
Christine Martin, Director of Strategic Marketing Legacy Health Services, said a short-term resident of the center was admitted to the facility with pulmonary symptoms. The patient was transferred to the hospital and later diagnosed with Legionnaries' disease.
In a statement, Martin said the facility is taking proactive measures to contain any risk.
"While we do not believe the individual contracted this disease at our facility, as a matter of precaution and in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Health and other local agencies, we have implemented proactive measures to contain any risk. We are working with Solid Blend Water Management Solutions, a recognized expert in healthcare water management," Martin said. As part of these precautionary measures, Solid Blend has already conducted a hyper-chlorination treatment of our water system. They have also installed temporary filters while testing continues."
This week, a patient at a Strongsville senior living facility was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease.
Paul Psota, CEO of the Altenheim Senior Living Facility in Strongsville, said the patient is no longer experiencing symptoms.
Legionnaires' disease is usually spread through water droplets in the air, according to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. Signs and symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pains and headaches.
