BRYAN, Texas — The Brazos County Sheriff's Office has revealed in a press release that Legionella bacteria has been found in the HVAC system of a housing unit of the Brazos County Jail.
Officials say that testing started after an employee was diagnosed, and that once the Sheriff's Office was informed of the bacteria, "approximately 100 inmates were moved immediately as a precaution."
In a memo to inmates and personnel, authorities said that there are "no known cases in the facility" and if any personnel or inmates show signs or reports symptoms of the disease, "they will receive immediate medical attention."
The memo also explains what Legionnaires' disease is and how it affects individuals. An excerpt from the memo can be found below:
"Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. It is not spread person-to-person but through small droplets of water in the air that are breathed in. It's important to note that most people exposed to Legionella do not become ill. People at higher risk of illness are those with a weakened immune system, those 50 years or older, smokers, and people with chronic lung disease. Symptoms may include fever, chills, muscle aches, and cough, which usually start 2-10 days after exposure to the bacteria."
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