4 cases of Legionnaires' disease investigated at suburban hospital

OAK LAWN, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Department of Public Health says it's investigating four cases of Legionnaires' disease in individuals at a suburban Chicago hospital.

It said Thursday that two of the four were patients at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn within the past two months.

The agency says it will visit the hospital this week to test its water and that the hospital is working with it to strengthen its water management.

The agency says it has recommended the hospital inform patients and families about Legionella bacteria and work to identify other potential cases of the disease.

Water containing naturally occurring Legionella bacteria can be aerosolized through cooling towers, showers, hot tubs, and decorative fountains and, when inhaled, cause Legionnaire's disease, which is a serious lung infection.