An outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease at Illinois Veterans’ Home in Quincy has resulted in the deaths of four military veterans and the infections of 25 other residents. The four unidentified patients who died were between 82 and 91 years old.

Legionnaire’s disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a bacterial infection. It is spread through hot tubs, showers and air conditioning units that emit water vapor. Breathing in water vapor containing harmful bacteria leaves an individual’s lungs and immune system vulnerable to infection.

It is possible to cure the disease with antibiotics, but older patients have a tougher time recovering due to weakened immune systems and preexisting health conditions.

The Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs will thus begin treating all residents with similar symptoms in order to preemptively cure any patient in the beginning stages of the disease. It is also working to prevent the condition from spreading by monitoring shutting off sources of water vapor and only using bottled water.

In addition to veterans homes struggling with Legionnaire’s disease, a California prison is also suffering from an outbreak that has infected six inmates.