Update on the Legionella outbreak

Following continued collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Health, it appears that the source of the Legionella bacteria is the decorative water feature at the main entrance of Aurora St. Luke's South Shore.

Our goal continues to be the health and safety of our patients as we work to responsibly address the issue:

• The water feature at Aurora St. Luke�s South Shore has been sanitized and turned off.
• As a precaution, all water features throughout Aurora have been turned off.
• We are nearing completion of phone calls to patients that visited Aurora St. Luke's South Shore during Feb. 24 to March 10. We are advising them that if they have symptoms of Legionella pneumonia, including fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath, they should contact their physician. People who have no symptoms need not seek medical care.

At this time, no additional cases of Legionella pneumonia have been confirmed. Legionellosis cannot be spread person to person. It is acquired after inhaling mist from a water source that contains Legionella bacteria.

"People can feel secure going to Aurora St. Luke's South Shore," said Bruce Van Cleave, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer. "Together, local and state public health departments and Aurora have taken every possible precaution to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and employees. We appreciate the collaboration and support of the health departments during this time."