A patient at a New Jersey nursing home recently tested positive for Legionnaires' disease -- a severe and potentially deadly form of pneumonia -- prompting an inspection of the facility's water system, officials said.
The patient, who was treated and has since recovered, is a resident of the Morris View Healthcare Center, in Morris Township, according to a statement from county spokesman Larry Ragonese.
The patient, whose identity was not released, tested positive roughly two weeks ago, Ragonese said.
Test results of the facility's water supply revealed the presence of legionella in some of the plumbing, the statement said.
Testing is ongoing, Ragonese said, to ensure there is no further presence of the bacteria.
People typically are infected with the disease -- which was named in 1976 following an outbreak of pneumonia in attendees at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia -- by breathing in small droplets of water or mist that has been contaminated.
All water fountains were disabled, aerators were removed from the sinks, ice machines were sanitized and kitchen modifications were made related to food preparation, the statement said.
There have been no other reports of illness at this time.
The county said there will be plumbing modifications in addition to a complete facility remediation.
Officials also said they will continue to test the facility's systems. And, any other residents from Morris View that shows symptoms of respiratory distress will be tested for the bacteria, the statement said.
The nursing home did not respond to a request for comment. Family members and residents of the nursing facility have been notified.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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