Legionnaires’ Disease is a serios type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. About one in 10 people who get sick with Legionnaires’ disease die due to complications from their illness. For those who get Legionnaires’ disease while staying in a health care facility, the fatality rate increases to one out of every four.

Legionellosis—any infection caused by the Legionella bacteria—is a reportable disease in Nevada, as outlined in Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 441.A – Infectious Diseases; Toxic Agents).

Disease Investigation Process

The Acute Communicable Disease Control program at the Southern Nevada Health District initiates a legionellosis disease investigation after receiving a report from:

• A medical provider
• A laboratory
• A partnering local or state health department
• The Center for Disease Control and Disease Prevention

Disease investigators conduct interviews, fields visits and use other investigative methods to confirm diagnoses and gather information about exposures. Investigation teams work closely with the Health District’s Epidemiology Department and Environmental Health Division to determine potential sources and prevent further spread.

The Health District investigates all Legionnaires’ disease cases, including:

• Residents of Clark County
• Visitors to Clark County who traveled during their incubation period.

For travel-associated cases, investigators assess whether the illness may have been acquired due to an exposure during their visit to Southern Nevada.

Outbreak investigations

If two or more related Legionella cases occur, disease investigators collaborate with:

• Health District Epidemiology Department and Environmental Health Division staff
• The Office of State Epidemiology at the Nevada Department of Public and Behavior Health
• Subject matter experts at the CDC

Per NAC 441.A.580, the Health District leads the investigation, providing oversight for each step of the process, and helping ensure adherence to public health recommendations.

References:

CDC. (2024, April 17). Health Departments: Outbreak Investigations. Investigating Legionnaires’ Disease. https://www.cdc.gov/investigate-legionella/php/public-health-strategy/investigations.html

NAC: CHAPTER 441A – INFECTIOUS DISEASES; TOXIC AGENTS. (2022). State.nv.us. https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nac/nac-441a.html#NAC441ASec580

CDC. (2024, January 29). About Legionnaires Disease and Pontiac Fever. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/about/index.html