An outbreak of Legionnaire's disease has struck the Peregrine Senior Living Facility at Shaker in Albany County, resulting in a fourth reported death. Legionnaire's disease is a severe type of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria found in water. The latest fatality was confirmed by the Albany County Department of Health.

The health department also announced two new cases of legionella, with test results pending for additional confirmations. In response, the Department of Health vowed to work closely with Peregrine and local hospitals to ensure that individuals displaying symptoms receive prompt testing and appropriate treatment.

The ongoing outbreak has prompted a lawsuit on behalf of an 82-year-old woman who fell ill and is currently undergoing treatment at a rehabilitation facility. Attorney Don Boyajian, representing the plaintiff, asserts that the outbreak at Peregrine could have been prevented had protocols, maintenance, and monitoring been diligently followed. Negligence resulting from preventable actions is the core issue driving the lawsuit.

Peregrine Senior Living Facility at Shaker claimed to have implemented rigorous precautionary measures upon learning of the bacterial exposure. Water restrictions were promptly put in place, even before any deaths occurred. However, the facility now faces increasing scrutiny and pressure from both legal proceedings and public health authorities.

As the investigation continues, NewsChannel 13 has reached out to the Department of Health seeking further information and updates. Stay tuned for the latest developments on WNYT.com and our upcoming newscasts.