5 individuals recognized in Lincoln, NH

5 New Hampshire residents have developed Legionnaires’ illness, after an outbreak of the bacterial an infection attributable to publicity to contaminated water.

The New Hampshire Division of Well being and Human Providers issued an advisory on August 12, confirming that 5 individuals had developed the sickness in June and July after being uncovered to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort in downtown Lincoln, New Hampshire.

“Anyone who has visited the world close to the contaminated cooling tower ought to monitor themselves for signs,” Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire State Epidemiologist, stated in a well being division press launch. “Individuals who develop fever or different signs of pneumonia inside 14 days after spending time on this space ought to discuss to their healthcare supplier about testing for Legionella an infection.”

Well being division officers stated that the cooling tower would stay in operation throughout ongoing remediation efforts, which means there’s nonetheless a doable danger of publicity to the illness inside a half-mile radius.

Extra:What’s Legionnaire’s illness? 5 instances recognized in NH. What officers say induced it

What’s Legionnaires’ illness?

Legionnaires’ illness is attributable to inhaling water droplets contaminated with the Legionella micro organism. The micro organism can develop in water droplets from showers, sizzling tubs, taps, cooling towers, misters, and ornamental fountains. Whereas infections don’t unfold from person-to-person contact, signs can embody fever, cough, shortness of breath, and different signs of pneumonia.