Hamilton Township Confirms Four Cases Of Legionnaires’ Disease

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Hamilton Township Division of Health has reported four confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ Disease, and two people have died.

The residents became ill between Aug. 18-24, the department said in a public statement last week. It's not known exactly why the outbreak occurred, officials said.

The state Department of Health and the Hamilton Division of Health recently collected environmental samples from selected sites that may be connected to the disease, officials said.

The township has also hired an independent laboratory to conduct water sampling locations, and officials have identified the Mercerville section as sample location site.

The Health Division said it was working closely with state Department of Health to investigate the matter. Health officials said it’s difficult to determine the origin of the bacteria that infected town residents, but are working to identify potential sources of exposure.

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria and people can get infected by breathing in aerosolized water, or small droplets, containing the bacteria. This water can come from cooling towers, such as air-conditioning units for large buildings, as well as hot tubs, cooling misters, decorative fountains, and plumbing systems, officials said.

People cannot get ill by drinking water. Additionally, home air conditioning units do not aerosolize water and are risk free, said officials.

Legionnaires’ disease usually affects people above the age of 50, especially those who smoke, or have underlying health conditions, including weakened immune systems and chronic lung disease.

“While the risk to our residents remains low, Legionnaires’ disease can be a serious illness especially for those who are older or have underlying health concerns,” Hamilton Township Health Officer Christopher Hellwig said in a statement.

The symptoms are also similar to COVID-19, and officials have urged the public to contact their medical provider if they experience these symptoms.

“If you’re not feeling well and have respiratory illness like symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headache I encourage you to speak with your medical provider. Legionnaires’ disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics, and is not spread from person-to-person,” he said.

The NJDOH has asked healthcare providers to test patients for the disease.

"Since this is a continuing investigation, healthcare providers are urged to test patients with community-acquired and healthcare-acquired pneumonia for Legionnaires’ disease, especially among residents of Hamilton Township. This is important to ensure patients receive appropriate and timely treatment,” said Edward M. Lifshitz, medical director of the Communicable Disease Service at the state Department of Health.

Officials said the disease is relatively uncommon and occur between the months of July to October, usually peaking in August.

“Upon learning of the positive cases, and given Hamilton's history with Legionnaire's disease, our Health Department took swift action to investigate these cases and search not only for a common link, but for any continued possible exposure to our residents," said Mayor Jeff Martin, in a statement.

For more information on Legionnaires’ disease click here: www.cdc.gov/legionella.