Legionella

For the last two years, tests have shown that a nursing home in southeastern Nebraska has contaminated water with a deadly bacteria called Legionella. Legionella can cause two types of respiratory diseases: Potomac fever and the potentially fatal Legionnaires disease. This bacteria is found generally at low levels of water, lakes, and streams and can be problematic if it gets into water systems and grows. Infections of this bacteria occur when people breathe in the contaminated mists, such as shower heads and faucets, and through a nebulizer. Infections can also happen if people aspirate or get water in their lungs
while drinking.

Older people with preexisting health conditions are at greater risk of getting sick. Health care facilities should have comprehensive water management plans to protect facilities against Legionella. It is critical that steps are taken when Legionella occurs in a healthcare facility as it puts vulnerable people in danger.

The outbreak of Legionella began in 2022 at Colonial Acres. The bacteria-filled water has sickened many residents and killing one.  The State Departments of
Environment and Energy and Health and Human Services learned about this situation in September, according to the EPA order.

In May of 2023, the federal government intervened as requested by the state—the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency ordered emergency action and called the situation an “imminent and substantial endangerment” to the elderly nursing home residents. In the May order, the EPA said that the steps taken previously by state and local authorities had not been “adequate, timely or otherwise sufficient.”

Samples collected from a March sample in 2024 still showed Legionella in the water throughout the Colonial Acres facility. The facility has no routine to treat the contaminated water. Once Legionella is identified in a water system it is hard to permanently eliminate it, which is why continuous efforts are required.

According to the EPA, it is unclear how many deaths have occurred due to this bacteria, but one did occur in March.