Legionalla Bacteria Found In Elgin, Illinois Schools, Students Evacuated

Legionnella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, was found in three suburban Illinois schools and one school district office earlier this morning, CBS Chicago reports.

The CEO made the decision to close those buildings immediately.

The bacteria grows best in warm water, such as that found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks and large plumbing systems.

Outbreaks are more common in the summer and early fall, Adalja says, likely because people are exposed to air conditioners.

The school district in Elgin, Ill., about 45 miles northwest of Chicago, says it detected the bacteria at Eastview Middle, Larkin High, and at its Central Office/Gifford Street High facility during its annual air quality testing of the towers, according to the school district. “The guidelines from OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) say if you have a level of 1-thousand parts per million or higher that you should take emergency action two of them came in above 1000 and Larkin came in at 940”. Students were bused to other schools to wait for parents, who were notified of the situation. Special needs students were also being transported home.

ESC/Central Office staff will go to either Bartlett High or Elgin High to assist with students.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.