A 57-year-old man housed in Dorsey Run Correctional Facility in Jessup has tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease, the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said this week.

After experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath and “a persistent cough,” the man was transported to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had Legionnaires’ disease, a kind of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, DPSCS said. The man remained hospitalized as of Monday, the department said via social media Monday.

“Following recommendations from the Maryland Department of Health, protective measures for all staff and incarcerated individuals in the same housing areas as the hospitalized patient have been put in place,” the department wrote before noting that Legionnaires’ disease is not spread by contact with other people.

The most common means of becoming infected by Legionella bacteria is by inhaling mist or small droplets of contaminated water.

It was not clear what the specific protective measures were, but the department said the shower schedule for inmates in two buildings was “modified.” DPSCS did not specify what the measures were when asked by The Baltimore Sun, nor did it state whether other inmates are being evaluated for Legionnaires’ disease.

A contractor is testing the water supply inside the prison and replacing air filters, DPSCS said, but the facility will remain open.

This confirmed case comes after several buildings in Baltimore had tested positive for Legionella bacteria as a result of a proactive water quality testing campaign from the state’s Department of General Services. The city- and state-owned buildings that were found to have “elevated levels” of the bacteria late last year have all been treated and remain open.

No confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease were traced to exposure from those buildings, which included city courthouses, headquarters for many state departments and Baltimore City Hall.

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