Rare Disease Kills Patient/Gainesville

rockin'robin

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Gainesville Doctors Say Bacteria Spread Through Air

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Doctors at the Shands Cancer Center in Gainesville said a rare disease that is caught through the air has killed one of their patients.

They said none of their other patients are at risk.

Doctors said 56-year-old Ryan Sigman died Saturday from Legionnaires disease.

They believe he was exposed to the Legionella bacteria in his hospital room.

The disease is a bacterial infection that can cause potentially deadly pneumonia and is spread through contaminated mists or vapors.

Cleaning crews sanitized the facility's water system, which is once again safe for patients.

"We are very confident that this a safe place for our cancer patients and other patients, including those who are immuno-compromised," Shands Healthcare CEO Timothy Goldfarb said.

About 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionella infections in the U.S. every year.

Rare Disease Kills Patient At Shands - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville
 
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