LA County Employee Contracts Deadly Legionnaires' Disease

The airborne bacteria responsible for Legionnaires' disease has been identified within the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office. In May 2026, during routine maintenance, Legionella bacteria were detected in a cooling system at the facility near downtown Los Angeles. Subsequently, an employee at the office tested positive for Legionnaires' disease, though their current condition remains undisclosed.

Health officials were notified of the employee's diagnosis. While the discovery of the bacteria occurred in May 2026, employees within the affected buildings received notification later in the year. County authorities have not reported any other infections among individuals who may have shared common exposure to the infected employee.

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, transmitted through inhaling contaminated water droplets from systems like cooling equipment. Symptoms can include high fever, cough, confusion, and diarrhea, and the disease can be life-threatening. Approximately 10,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with this uncommon illness annually.