YWCA Evanston/North Shore Reopens After Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Linked To Water

EVANSTON, IL — The YWCA Evanston/North Shore has fully resumed its onsite programming after it was closed for a week due to the discovery of Legionella bacteria in its hot water system, which was linked to two confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease.

An environmental health team from the Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed that all necessary control measures were in place to open the facility at 1215 Church St. to the public.

The YWCA's aquatics programs, its Illinois Domestic Violence 40-Hour Certificate Training, Youth Leadership Program, and its community counseling resumed at the facility on Thursday, while the YW Culinary and the financial empowerment center resumed Monday.

"We understand that this situation can be concerning, and we are committed to providing as much support and reassurance as possible," YWCA representatives said in a statement. "We will continue to follow all the protocols and steps advised by IDPH, Evanston Health and Human Services (EHHS), and water management experts to ensure the ongoing safety of our facilities."

The facility was shuttered temporarily on Oct. 10 and state public health officials were called in to perform testing after "two individuals who were associated with YWCA E/NS tested positive for Legionnaires' disease," officials said at the time.

YWCA officials said they have installed 0.2-micron filters on all faucets and showers, which have a 99.99999 percent kill rate for bacteria and are recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Administrators at the nonprofit have also increased chlorine levels in its swimming pools for the next three months and returned temperature of the hot water system to 140 degrees to kill any bacteria, according to the statement.

"We deeply appreciate the community’s support and understanding throughout this process. Our values of transparency, collaboration, curiosity, belonging, and justice are at the heart of everything we do, and they have only grown stronger as we navigate this challenge together," it said.

The water fountains at the facility remained closed as a precaution, as of Thursday, but water coolers were set up in the lobby and kitchen areas for public use.

"Once we get confirmation from our water management consultant that they are safe to use or any necessary steps to ensure their safety are in place, we will reopen them," officials said.

YWCA officials said they would continue to work with a water management consultant to develop a long-term plan for maintaining water safety and preventing future bacterial outbreaks.

City health department officials did not respond to a request for information about the outbreak.

Legionnaires' disease is a serious respiratory illness caused by inhaling water mist containing the bacteria. It is not contagious and does not spread from person to person, but individuals who visited the facility in the two weeks prior to its closure were advised to monitor for symptoms such as cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

Anyone recently diagnosed with pneumonia or who experienced pneumonia-like symptoms after visiting YWCA Evanston/North Shore within 14 days was encouraged to contact the City of Evanston's Health and Human Services Department for guidance, which may include a phone interview and a recommendation for a urine antigen test that can detect Legionella after pneumonia treatment.

Earlier: Discovery Of Legionella Bacteria Prompts Closure Of YWCA Evanston/North Shore