Clay Co. Health Department investigates Hutsonwood after case of Legionnaires’ disease

BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – A Brazil nursing home is now under investigation by the Clay County Health Department as one of its residents was relocated after testing positive for Legionnaires’ disease.

Program Manager for the Clay County Health Department Christina Carrico said places with large water systems like Hutsonwood are often associated with this disease.

“Typically, we see these outbreaks occur in cruise ships, hotels, and even hospital and extended care facilities,” said Carrico. “Anything that is going to have that large amount of water, especially a warm water system, are typically the types of areas that we see these bacteria grow.”

Hutsonwood officials said that they are currently conducting a water test, providing bottled water to its residents, staff, and visitors, and installing filters in the showers and ice machines.
Carrico said the health department plans to help the facility in multiple ways so that it can continue with its day-to-day operations.

“We act as that middle person between the state health department, investigators, contact tracing, and helping with the water testing,” said Carrico. “We are able to really help facilitate that so that they can continue all of the day-to-day things that they need to do without being overwhelmed.”

She said that there is no current threat to the public and they just want to let everyone know how to stay as safe as possible.

“There is not a public emergency right now,” said Carrico. “Things are contained and it doesn’t spread from person to person. At this point, we are here to calm the public and let them know what information they might need to know for their family members that could still potentially be housed over there.”

It is still an ongoing investigation in terms of where the disease is located.

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