An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in an apartment complex in northern Portland made four people sick, Multnomah County health officials said on Tuesday. One of those people died.
County officials told more than 100 Rosemont Court residents in Dekum Street to leave after several residents contracted pneumonia, according to a press release issued by Multnomah County. The health department said that experts linked Monday’s outbreak to the apartment water system. County officials are working to clean the building’s plumbing system and remove any remnants of Legionella, the bacterium that causes the disease.
The health department is working with Northwest Housing Alternatives, owner of Rosemont Court, to find others places for residents to stay, according to a press release. Multnomah County spokeswoman Julie Sullivan-Springhetti said residents were staying at several Portland area hotels under a contract with the county, while health officials investigated the source of the outbreak.
Humans can contract the disease when they breathe very small droplets of water with bacteria. Most people exposed to it do not get sick. However, some people may contract severe pneumonia. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain and headache. The most serious symptoms include coughing and chest pain. Elderly people, smokers and people with chronic illnesses are at greater risk.
As of Monday night, 20 residents had left the building. The health department said more were planning to leave on Tuesday.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
-Jayati Ramakrishnan; 503-221-4320; [email protected]