Posted: Feb. 20, 2018 4:50 pm

QUINCY -- A fourth case of Legionnaires' disease was confirmed at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.

A release from the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Illinois Department of Public Health said the case was confirmed Tuesday and that the resident is in stable condition.

State officials said representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention returned to the campus last week to provide additional support and guidance.

Thirteen residents have died and dozens others have been sickened by Legionella since 2015. Since then the state has spent more than $6 million on upgrades at the 210-acre campus.

Ten families have filed lawsuits against the state of Illinois claiming the deaths were caused by negligence.

Staff from the CDC is working with Illinois Veterans Home and public health staff to:

º Conduct environmental and epidemiological assessments to identify potential exposure sources.

º Augment clinical testing protocols for individuals with respiratory symptoms to include not only testing for Legionella, but also influenza and other respiratory viruses.

º Conduct clinical and environmental sample testing at CDC.

º Identify important public health and infection control interventions.

º Partner in communications with the local hospital to streamline testing.