PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- A Pekin man, held at the Tazewell County Jail, recently died of Legionnaires' disease which he contracted from the facility's water supply.
James Pate, 93, who died on Oct. 6 at Carle Health Pekin Hospital, found to have the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease.
His death has led to the county jail examining its safety protocols related the bacteria. Staff and inmates been issued N95 masks to protect from the bacteria. Showers and faucets -- which are prime ways for the bacteria to spread through the air -- are off for now, said Sheriff Jeff Lower.
No one else has come down symptoms related to the bacteria, known as legionella, Lower said.
They are looking at putting several filters to go on multiple water lines, he said.
"That will not get rid of the bact