Smith Responds to Legionnaires’ Death at Manteno Veterans Home

MANTEO, Ill. – Following news that a resident who recently contracted Legionnaires’ disease at the Manteno Veterans Home has passed away, State Rep. Nicholas Smith, D-Chicago, is calling for action by the veterans home and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“First I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of the resident that has passed away,” said Smith. “I hope to see swift action by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the administration of the Manteno Veterans Home to prevent the further spread of Legionnaires. One death is one too many.”

Smith demands answers for this case of Legionnaires’ and wants to see real solutions to prevent this outbreak from progressing. Legionnaires’ is caused by the bacterium Legionella and is spread from water vapor from a contaminated water system. The most vulnerable to the illness are adults over the age of 50 and those with weak or compromised immune systems.

“Our veterans and their spouses deserve much better than this as they rely on the veterans home for care,” said Smith. “The spread of Legionella can be prevented, and we must do everything possible to make sure our veterans can live without the fear of their water making them ill.”