Five New Hampshire residents have contracted Legionnaires’ disease after an outbreak of this bacterial infection occurred due to contact with contaminated water.
The New Hampshire State Department of Health issued an alert on August 12 confirming that five people became ill with the disease in June and July after being exposed to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort in downtown Lincoln, New Hampshire.
“Anyone who has been in the vicinity of the contaminated cooling tower should monitor for symptoms,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire State Epidemiologist, in a Department of Health press release. “Individuals who develop a fever or other symptoms of pneumonia within 14 days of being in the area should talk to their doctor about testing for Legionella Infection.”
Health officials said the cooling tower will remain in operation while remediation work is ongoing, meaning there will still be a possible risk of contracting the disease within a half-mile radius.
More: What is Legionnaires’ disease? Five cases identified in NH. What authorities say was the cause
What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. The bacteria can grow in water droplets from showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers, misters, and ornamental fountains. Although infections are not spread through person-to-person contact, symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other symptoms of pneumonia can occur.
Symptoms can appear between 2 and 14 days after infection. Health officials warned that most people only experience minor symptoms. However, about 1 in 10 people who contract the disease die from complications, according to the CDC.
New Hampshire public health officials advised all visitors to downtown Lincoln to monitor for symptoms.
Melina Khan contributed to this report.
Max Hauptman is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Legionnaires’ disease outbreak: 5 people diagnosed in Lincoln, NH
