While nine McHenry County residents were recently diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, the number of cases this year are down in Kane County, officials said.
Kane County Health Department spokesman Tom Schlueter said two cases have been reported this year — in May and June — which is down from the 17 cases reported in 2017.
The patients’ ages and hometowns are not being released, Schlueter said.
“For all we know, the cases are not related to what is going on in McHenry County,” Schlueter said. “We’ll be working with the Illinois Department of Public Health and McHenry County to determine if we have any similar cases.”
In McHenry County, nine cases were reported between June 7 and July 1 from patients in various locations and ranging from 46 to 82 years old, according to a report released from the McHenry County Department of Health.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a type of bacteria commonly found in fresh water environments, like lakes and streams, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People can become ill after breathing in a mist or vapor contaminated with the bacteria.
The disease occurs more frequently in hot humid weather, and it can become a health concern when the bacteria is found in building water systems, such as shower heads, hot tubs, fountains, hot water tanks and large plumbing systems, officials said.
In June 2017, three cases were reported in Kane County.
“Anytime someone is ill, it is a serious thing, but we are behind the case count from last year,” Schlueter said.
Symptoms typically begin two to 10 days after exposure and can include muscle aches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. People more susceptible to the disease include those older than 50 and those with risk factors, such as being a current or former smoker, having a chronic disease or having a weakened immune system, officials said.
One case of Legionnaires’ disease has been reported in 2018 in DuPage County, according to a recent report of communicable diseases.
Will County has had seven confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease so far this year, said Steve Brandy, spokesman for the Will County Health Department. Three additional Will County residents became sick with symptoms around July 4, and it’s unclear if they also have the disease, Brandy said.
People with confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ in Will County this year range in age from 36 to 70 years old and are listed under various hometowns in the county, Brandy said.
“None of this appears to really be out of the ordinary,” Brandy said.
Will County reported 14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in 2017.
Attempts to reach the Kendall County Health Department for comment were unsuccessful.
Naperville Sun reporter Erin Hegarty contributed to this report.