Missouri DHSS investigating Legionnaires’ disease cases possibly linked to Rolla hospital

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is investigating four cases of Legionnaires’ disease among previously hospitalized patients at Phelps Health in Rolla.

DHSS is actively working to help prevent additional people from becoming sick by conducting an investigation and working with Phelps Health to implement any needed public health safeguards.

The first case occurred in May 2021. The source of the bacteria that caused these individuals to acquire infection is under investigation.

People can get Legionnaires' disease, a serious type of pneumonia, by breathing in small water droplets containing legionella bacteria. In general, people do not spread Legionnaires' disease to other people.

“It can be difficult to confirm the exact source of legionella infection, but we need the public to be aware this illness is out there and, if acquired, it needs to be treated appropriately,” said George Turabelidze, MD, DHSS State Epidemiologist.