International Society for Infectious Diseases: On Tue, 9 Aug 2005, our lab made the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease via urinary antigen in a veteran who attended the Pennsylvania American Legion Convention in Valley Forge, PA on 17 Jul  2005. He became ill 10-12 days after the meeting. We have reported the case to the Health Department.

A second case of Legionnaires' disease has been identified among attendees of the American Legion Convention in Valley Forge, PA as well. Both patients are residents of the Pittsburgh area.

It is still too early to say whether this represents an outbreak related to the convention; the appropriate Health Departments are investigating. However, my colleagues in PA [and elsewhere - Mod.LL] should ask their pneumonia patients about attendance at the convention, and order Legionella urinary antigen and culture.
 

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