Wayne County Health, Human, and Veterans Services confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the water system at Allegria Village, a Dearborn retirement home, after two residents contracted Legionnaires’ disease and died in June and July. According to WXYZ, it's still not determined if Legionnaires' was the direct cause of death. Amidst the outbreak, one resident expressed wanting to "just as soon move somewhere else," lamenting the situation.
In response, Allegria Village has eliminated high-risk water source usage such as showers and provided residents with gallon jugs for various needs. It will likely be another two weeks before the water can confidently be deemed safe to use. This comes amid reports that a woman plans to move her in-laws out of the facility, saying, "I would not be surprised at all if there were some sort of class action lawsuit," in an interview obtained by WXYZ.
Allegria Village, formerly known as Henry Ford Village, hosts a variety of care options and has been actively communicating with residents about the measures taken. As reported by Michigan Public, residents Bob Ghena and Jean Peiffer noted that Allegria officials confirmed the Legionella findings and detailed remediation steps during a resident meeting yesterday.
Legionnaires' disease is known to strike water and plumbing systems, and while most people don't get sick from exposure, certain groups, including adults over 50 and those with weaker immune systems, face higher risks. "At this time, no cases have been confirmed to have originated at our property," Allegria Village's director of operations, Lexi Cousino, stated in an email to the Detroit Free Press, as noted by the Lansing State Journal. The CDC advocates for water management programs as a preventive measure against the disease.
Meanwhile, a third non-fatal case from August 2024 is also under investigation. Health officials have emphasized education on the disease's symptoms and prompt medical evaluation for residents and staff. Symptoms often start 2 to 10 days after exposure and include cough, fever, and headaches, among other flu-like signs. The Wayne County health department and Allegria Village are reportedly working closely to manage the situation at this time.
