Legionnaires outbreak claims life

From WETM, out of the Twin Tiers in NY/PA:

"ELMIRA -- One of four residents of an Elmira apartment complex who were infected with Legionnaires Disease this week has died, her family said.

Anna Marie Tongate, 75, died Thursday afternoon, three days after she was diagnosed with the bacterial disease. Her family took her to the hospital on Sunday because they felt she was very ill, said Christina Bruner Sonsire, an attorney for the family.

Tongate and three other residents at Flannery Towers displayed flu-like symptoms last week, but the staff did nothing to address the illnesses, Sonsire said in a statement.

Sonsire added her law firm -- Ziff, Weiermiller, Hayden & Mustico -- will investigate how Tongate and three other residents were infected with Legionnaires Disease, and why nobody recognized the problem.

A message was left with the Chemung County Health Department Thursday evening seeking comment on the outbreak."

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Sad, the death could probably have been prevented with prompt attention to the situation.