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Outbreak of Legionnaires' disease among automotive plant workers--Ohio, 2001
Insights
Legionnaires disease (LD) outbreak at an auto plant caused two deaths. Investigations linked illness to a finishing line, but the specific Legionella source remains unidentified.
Area of Science:
- Environmental health
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Occupational health
Background:
- Four cases of Legionnaires disease (LD) were reported among workers at an automotive engine manufacturing plant in March 2001.
- Two of the four confirmed cases resulted in fatalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the outbreak of Legionnaires disease (LD) among workers at an automotive engine manufacturing plant.
- To identify new cases and the potential sources of Legionella transmission within the plant.
Main Methods:
- Case investigation and confirmation using Legionella urine antigen testing.
- Epidemiologic investigation to identify potential sources of Legionella transmission.
- Collaboration between local health departments and the CDC.
Main Results:
- An epidemiologic association was found between illness onset and exposure to a specific plant finishing line.
- Despite the association, a definitive source of Legionella transmission was not identified.
- The investigation confirmed four cases of Legionnaires disease (LD) with two deaths.
Conclusions:
- The automotive engine manufacturing plant experienced an outbreak of Legionnaires disease (LD).
- Exposure to a specific finishing line was epidemiologically linked to the cases.
- Further investigation is needed to pinpoint the exact source of Legionella to prevent future outbreaks.
Abstract:
During March 12-15, 2001, four cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD) among workers at an automotive engine manufacturing plant (plant X) were reported to the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Cleveland, Ohio; all four diagnoses were confirmed by Legionella urine antigen. Illness onset among the four workers occurred during March 2-4; two workers died. Beginning March 14, CDC assisted state and local health departments with an investigation to identify new cases and potential sources of Legionella transmission in the plant. This report summarizes the investigation; findings indicate an epidemiologic association with exposure to one of the plant finishing lines but did not identify a specific source.