Legionella Bacteria Found at LA County Medical Examiner's Office; Employee Tests Positive
Officials are investigating the discovery of Legionella bacteria in a cooling system and an employee's positive test for Legionnaires' disease.
The airborne bacteria responsible for Legionnaires' disease has been detected in a cooling system at the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, and an employee has subsequently tested positive for the illness. The bacteria, legionella, was found during maintenance work in May 2026 at the office located near downtown Los Angeles. Employees in the affected buildings were notified later in the year.
Officials have not publicly confirmed whether the employee’s infection is directly linked to the contaminated system. A spokesperson for the Department of Public Health stated, “The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health was notified of one Los Angeles County employee who tested positive for Legionnaire’s Disease.” The identity and condition of the affected worker have not been disclosed.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. Infection typically occurs when individuals inhale contaminated water droplets or mist from sources such as building cooling systems and plumbing. The illness can manifest with symptoms including fever, chills, headaches, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms usually appear two to 14 days after exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the disease is generally treatable with antibiotics.
According to county health officials, Legionella bacteria are commonly found in building plumbing systems, particularly in older structures. The infection does not usually spread directly from person to person. Instead, contaminated water systems can aerosolize the bacteria, releasing them into the air. County officials indicated that healthcare providers are required to report symptomatic cases, and public health authorities monitor high-risk settings.
As of the latest reports, no other cases have been identified among individuals who shared common exposures with the infected employee. A representative from the Medical Examiner's office declined to comment, directing inquiries to the Department of Public Health.