Deadly Legionnaire's Outbreak that Killed 2 Confirmed At A Richmond Day Spa

It has been confirmed that a Richmond day spa was the likely source of a Legionnaire's disease outbreak that has already claimed the lives of two people and sickened several others. On August 21, the Mercury News reported that Zen Day Spa at 12230 San Pablo Ave. was possibly the breeding ground for the deadly bacteria that caused the outbreak.

The Contra Costa Health Services Department started investigating the spa on August 4 after the deaths were reported. The victims reportedly became ill after days of visiting the spa. Testing on water and swab samples collected from the Richmond spa indicated high levels of legionella bacteria.

According to Hoodline, the spa had been operating without a permit for their pool and jacuzzi facilities. County inspectors discovered no records of Zen Day Spa holding a permit for a spa or pool. The establishment closed voluntarily on August 5.

Furthermore, health officials urged people who have recently visited Zen Day Spa to remain vigilant for symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease and seek immediate medical care if issues develop. The disease, although treatable with antibiotics, can appear as a severe form of pneumonia and may lead to hospitalization.

In their investigations, the health services department contacted over 30 recent customers of the Zen Day Spa and reviewed cases of Legionnaire's disease reported through community healthcare providers. Awaiting preliminary results, samples of the spa water have been collected and sent for lab analysis to help with determining the presence of legionella bacteria.

So far, two other people who visited the Zen Day Spa have been confirmed to have Legionnaire's disease through lab tests, and two others reported becoming ill after visiting the spa, whom investigators suspect also had the disease. Health officials are refraining from identifying the victims due to medical privacy laws.

Legionella bacteria reside in natural freshwater environments like lakes and streams and pose a health risk when they enter human settings such as spas and pools. Individuals may become infected by breathing in contaminated water droplets. Those most at risk include people over 50, past and present smokers, and those with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems.

To address the issue, the department issued an abatement order declaring Zen Day Spa a public nuisance and requiring professional cleaning of the affected spaces within 30 days. The hot tub must be removed and disposed of within the same time frame. The health services department will have to approve any reopening of the business after conducting a reinspection.