BURBANK, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Public Health is investigating a “cluster” of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Burbank.

Three cases were epidemiologically linked and one case was geographically linked to St. Albert the Great Church in Burbank, located in the 8000 block of Central Avenue. IDPH’s Environmental Health staff inspected the church and collected samples.

Laboratory tests detected the presence of legionella in the church’s cooling tower, IDPH said.

Local health departments around the area, that have been dealing with cases, have been asked to inquire about anytime spent in Burbank during the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms.

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection that people can get by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. It is not transmitted person-to-person. Outbreaks are most commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems.

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