2022 Outbreak of Legionnaires Disease at a Manufacturing Plant, South Carolina
In 2022 public health officials in South Carolina investigated a months long outbreak of Legionella pneumophila infections among employees at a manufacturing plant. Between August and November 2022, a total of 34 cases of legionellosis occurred. Fifteen people were hospitalized. Two people died.
Legionella pneumophila was isolated from 3 devices: 2 water jet cutters, and 1 floor scrubber. L. pneumophila sequence type 36 was identified in environmental isolates and 1 patient specimen, indicating that these devices were the likely source of infections.
Overview
| Outbreak began: | August 2022 |
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| Affected country: | US |
| States/territories: | SC |
| Pathogen: | Legionella pneumophila |
| Vehicle(s): | Water |
| Location(s): | Workplace |
| Molecular test results: | Type 36 |
Health impact
| Total ill: | 34 |
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| Number hospitalized: | 15 |
| Number of deaths: | 2 |
Sources & documents
| Report / reference links | ||
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| Outbreak documents | ||