5 Diagnosed With Legionnaire's Disease After Visiting NH Town

CONCORD, NH ? Five people were diagnosed with Legionnaire's Disease after visiting downtown Lincoln this summer, according to New Hampshire health officials.

Legionnaire?s disease is a bacterial pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services said. The diagnoses were all made in June and July, and officials believe all five people were exposed to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort.

"Based on investigations and testing conducted with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, DHHS confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria contaminating the cooling tower," according to officials. "RiverWalk is partnering with DHHS to address the contamination, with additional test results for the cooling tower expected next week."

Because the cooling tower is still in operation while remediation is ongoing, there may continue to be some risk of exposure to the public, especially for people within a half-mile of the cooling tower's location, officials said.

Most healthy people who are exposed to Legionella bacteria do not get sick or only experience mild symptoms, according to officials. But those who are older, are current or former smokers, have weakened immune systems, or have certain medical conditions like chronic lung disease and diabetes are at higher risk for developing Legionnaire's disease.

"Anybody who has visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower should monitor themselves for symptoms," New Hampshire State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said. "People who develop fever or other symptoms of pneumonia within 14 days after spending time in this area should talk to their healthcare provider about testing for Legionella infection."

Legionella is a naturally occurring environmental bacteria that can grow in water systems and infect people who breathe in contaminated water droplets from showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers, misters, and decorative fountains, according to officials. Infections do not spread from person to person.

Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, officials said.

For more information about Legionella, visit the DHHS Waterborne Disease webpage or the CDC webpage.