Legionnaires' disease cases climb at Illinois veterans home

QUINCY — Officials say the number of residents with Legionnaires’ disease at a western Illinois veterans’ home climbed five more to 28, including two people who died last week.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reported the number jumped from the 23 cases made public Friday when the deaths were reported. Illinois Department of Public Health officials say the deceased residents had underlying medical conditions.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia, with lung inflammation usually caused by infection. It’s not transmitted from person to person, with most people getting it from inhaling the Legionella bacteria.

Illinois Veterans Home spokesman Ryan Yantis says residents are being monitored and anyone with symptoms will be treated as if they have it until lab results show otherwise.

Quincy is about 300 miles southwest of Chicago.