UKIAH >> Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Public Health was notified that three people were hospitalized with Legionnaires” Disease in the Ukiah area; currently, all three people have been discharged and to date, there are no additional confirmed cases.
The only common factor in the Public Health investigation thus far is that all three individuals stayed at the Discovery Inn in Ukiah between June and August, according to Kristina Grogan, Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency communications coordinator.
Legionella bacteria grows in drinking water systems, hot tubs, decorative fountains and cooling towers, she stated. The Discovery Inn water systems were tested, and the results are inconclusive as to the presence of the legionella bacteria.
Staff from HHSA Public Health Nursing, Environmental Health, along with the Mendocino County Public Health Officer, Dr. Craig McMillan and Deputy Public Health Officer, Dr. Charles Evans continue to investigate for other possible common factors that can be found with the three infected individuals, Grogan stated.
HHSA Environmental Health staff continue to work with the property owner of the Discovery Inn located in Ukiah. A company contracted by Discovery Inn specializing in regulated public water system safety will be on site to disinfect the water lines and fountains as a precautionary measure, Grogan stated.
“HHSA Public Health would like to acknowledge the assistance of Public Health Officer Dr. Craig McMillan, Deputy Public Health Officer Dr. Charles Evans and California Department of Public Health Consultant Dr. Lauren Lee,” Grogan stated.
