Five New Hampshire residents have developed Legionnaires’ disease, after an outbreak of the bacterial infection caused by exposure to contaminated water.
“Anybody who has visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower should monitor themselves for symptoms,” Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire State Epidemiologist, said in a health department press release.
What officials say caused it What is Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria.
New Hampshire public health officials cautioned anyone who has visited the downtown Lincoln area to monitor for symptoms.
Five residents of New Hampshire have contracted Legionnaires’ disease following an outbreak of the bacterial infection brought on by coming into contact with tainted water.
Five individuals became ill in June and July after coming into contact with tainted water droplets from a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort in downtown Lincoln, New Hampshire, according to an advisory released by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services on August 12.
Dr. Benjamin Chan, the New Hampshire State Epidemiologist, stated in a press release from the health department that “anyone who has visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower should monitor themselves for symptoms.”. “Those who spend time in this area and then experience fever or other pneumonia-like symptoms within 14 days should consider getting tested for Legionella.”. “.
Within a half-mile radius, there is still a chance of contracting the disease because, according to health department officials, the cooling tower will continue to operate while remediation work is being done.
More: Five cases of legionnaire’s disease have been reported in New Hampshire. The cause, according to the officials.
Legionnaires’ disease: what is it?
Inhaling water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria is the cause of legionnaires’ disease. Water droplets from showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers, misters, and ornamental fountains can harbor the bacteria. Symptoms of infections can include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, and other pneumonia symptoms, even though they do not spread from person to person contact.
Between two and fourteen days following exposure is when symptoms can start to show up. The majority of people only exhibit mild symptoms, health officials warned. However, the CDC estimates that complications will claim the lives of roughly 1 in 10 infected individuals.
Public health officials in New Hampshire advised anyone who visited the downtown Lincoln area to keep an eye out for any symptoms.
Melina Khan made a contribution to this article.
Max Hauptman works for USA TODAY as a Trending Reporter. MHauptman@gannett.com is the email address you can use to contact him.
