Bacteria that causes deadly Legionnaires’ disease discovered at LA Medical Examiner’s Office, employee tests positive
The bacteria, Legionella, was detected in a cooling system at the office near downtown Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office has discovered the airborne bacteria responsible for Legionnaires' disease in a cooling system within the facility. An employee working at the office has tested positive for the disease, though their identity remains undisclosed. The employee's current condition is also unknown. Despite the discovery, officials have not confirmed if the employee's infection stems from the contaminated system.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health was made aware of the positive case, which was reported in May 2026. Following the detection, employees in the affected buildings were notified later in the year. To date, no additional cases have been identified among individuals who had shared exposure with the infected employee.
County health officials have characterized the bacteria as commonly found in building plumbing systems, particularly in older structures. They have emphasized the importance of healthcare providers reporting symptomatic cases and have urged public health authorities to monitor high-risk settings. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, which individuals can contract by inhaling contaminated water droplets or mist.
Symptoms include high fever, cough, diarrhea, and confusion. According to the CDC, around 10,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease each year.
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