A federal report shows that the Legionnaires' disease outbreak that killed 12 residents of an Illinois state veterans home this summer and sickened dozens was probably spread by an aging water system at a 129-year-old facility that lacked several safeguards.

The Centers for Disease Control report was released to the Associated Press through a public records request.

CDC environmental health specialists who spent nearly two weeks at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy in late August and September cited an "extensive and poorly understood water distribution system" and a "general lack of understanding of water system details" pertinent to the prevent and control" of the Legionella bacteria that causes the severe form of pneumonia.

More details here.