ENS Building Temporary Closure
March 24, 2023 at 11:16 a.m.: Comprehensive test results performed by a state-certified, accredited specialty laboratory confirm there is no presence of Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila), the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, in the ENS Building.
Comprehensive testing was also completed within the ENS Annex, as the Annex is directly adjacent to the ENS Building. Of the locations tested in the Annex, three samples, along a single water line, were found to contain a low number of L. pneumophila bacterial cultures. More detailed testing using DNA sequencing was also engaged to confirm.
It is important to note that the water in the main pipelines moves from the ENS building into the ENS Annex, where the pipeline does not enter, or connect to any other university buildings or spaces. This means that the detection of L. pneumophila in the ENS Annex is isolated to the Annex building alone.
Out of an abundance of caution, a 30-day disinfection process has begun in both the ENS Building and the ENS Annex. After that time, the ENS Building will then be available for reopening. The Annex will be available for reopening after an additional 14 day waiting period for post-disinfection confirmation sample results to be collected, received, and shared.
March 2, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.: The ENS building remains temporarily closed while SDSU’s Environmental Health and Safety investigates a report of a campus community member who has been diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia. No additional cases have been reported. Out of an abundance of caution, comprehensive testing by a speciality testing company is ongoing.
Until testing is completed and the building is confirmed cleared for reentry, students, faculty, staff and visitors are not permitted to re-enter the building.
Feb. 17, 2023 at 1 p.m.: The ENS building remains temporarily closed while SDSU’s Environmental Health and Safety investigates a report of a campus community member who has been diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia. No additional cases have been reported, and the university continues to monitor the situation.
Until testing is completed and the building is confirmed cleared for reentry, students, faculty, staff and visitors are not permitted to re-enter the building. The estimated clearance date is March 3, 2023.
Feb. 13, 2023 at 9:25 a.m.: The ENS building is temporarily closed while SDSU’s Environmental Health and Safety investigates a report of a campus community member who has been diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia. Symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and headaches, and the disease can be carried in water systems.
SDSU’s Environmental Health and Safety team is working closely with the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency to investigate this case and to identify and confirm the potential source. Additional information will be shared with the community as it becomes available.
The campus community member is away from campus and recovering. At this time, it is unknown where the campus community member was exposed to Legionella bacteria but in an abundance of caution, the university is closing the ENS building to perform testing. All students, faculty, staff and visitors must avoid the building until testing is completed and it is cleared for reentry.
At this time, there is only a single case of Legionella pneumonia and any connection to the campus is still unknown, but the university is taking extra precautions given the severity of the disease.
Again, while it is unknown where the campus community member became ill, you should also:
- Monitor your health and never come to campus if you are sick. If you are diagnosed with legionella, report your case to the campus by using the Health Advisories Form. More information is on the Health Advisories website.
- Students: Contact your instructor with questions regarding your courses to inquire about whether the class is canceled or being moved online this week.
- Faculty: In consultation with your dean, department chair or school director, contact your students about your plans for classes, whether the classes are canceled or moved to an online modality this week.
- For questions about health and safety measures, please contact Gillian Marks, Senior Director of Environmental Health & Safety by emailing [email protected].