Legionnaire's bacteria found in water at stricken central Ohio retirement community

7/25/2013

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio  — Federal health officials say they have found bacteria in the water system at a central Ohio retirement community where two people have died from an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested the water system at the Wesley Ridge Retirement Community in the suburban Columbus city of Reynoldsburg. The federal agency notified the county health department of the findings Wednesday.

The outbreak of the disease — a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria — began July 9 and has resulted in 28 people being hospitalized. Two of them have died.

The health department said it doesn’t know yet where the problem originated or where the bacteria are in the building. Steps are being taken to prevent any more illness.