A health official says the number of confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease at the Illinois Veterans' Home in Quincy has nearly tripled to 23.
Adams County Health Department Director of Clinical and Environmental Services Shay Drummond said lab tests confirmed the new total Friday, a day after state officials announced eight confirmed cases among residents of the home.
Drummond says the health department is recommending elderly people and anyone who's sick or has immunity issues should not visit the home. Those groups are most vulnerable to the disease.
Legionnaires' disease is caused when water tainted with Legionella bacteria is inhaled into the lungs.
The source of the bacteria hasn't been determined, but Drummond said the health department is confident it's limited to the veterans home.
