MANTENO – This afternoon, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) learned that a case of Legionnaires’ disease was identified in a resident at the Manteno Veterans’ Home (IVHM) and notified all residents, families, and staff. The resident is being treated and is in stable condition.
“Nothing matters more than providing the utmost care for our veterans,” said Linda Chapa LaVia, Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “Our staff has taken swift action. We will continue to monitor this case and be diligent in our efforts to communicate with our resident heroes, their families, and our valued staff.”
At the time of diagnosis, IVHM immediately implemented its response plan as part of its water management program. A thermal treatment response has been completed on the entire building to provide an enhanced level of protection for all residents. The water system has been flushed aggressively, and the resident’s sink, the ice machine, and the community shower in the resident’s wing have been taken out of service as a precaution in accordance with IHVM’s water management plan. Further water testing has been ordered in addition to IVHM’s regular water testing, and the home has instituted extra vital signs checks on all residents.
Water use is restricted and bottled water will be delivered for all staff and residents. Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection (pneumonia) that people can get by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria and it is not spread from person to person.
IVHM has alerted all residents, family, and staff about the case of Legionnaires Disease at IVHM. IDPH is assisting with the response, providing guidance on clinical testing, and infection prevention, along with conducting an onsite environmental health investigation to safeguard everyone at the facility.
In 2018, Illinois reported 512 cases of Legionnaires’ disease statewide with 251 confirmed to date in 2019. IDVA follows its water management plan and CDC recommendations to protect the health and safety of its residents.
All IDVA illness notifications may be found at www.veterans.illinois.gov. For more information on Legionnaires’ disease, please visit www.dph.illinois.gov.
