Legionnaires' Disease Confirmed at Keswick

Two people who were recently at Keswick Multi-Care Center were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, which has symptoms similar to pneumonia and can be fatal. 

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene informed the long-term care facility that two people who were at the center recently were positive for the legionellosis bacteria, according to a statement from Keswick. 

Both of the infected people have recovered and are not at the facility, but Keswick is taking precautions to prevent any new infections.

Residents, staff and visitors are prohibited from drinking, bathing, brushing teeth or preparing food with the facilities water. Potable water is being supplied for those tasks, according to the statement.

After performing hyperchlorination, the chlorine levels in Keswick's water supply are back to normal.

Legionnaires' disease earned its name in 1976 after an outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia, according to the Centers for Disease Control website.

The website also states that between 8,000 and 18,000 cases a year are diagnosed and 5 to 30 percent of those can be fatal.