Five individuals in downtown Lincoln, New Hampshire have developed Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, after possible exposure to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower located behind the RiverWalk Resort. Four of the five individuals were hospitalized but have since recovered. Remediation efforts, including mechanical cleaning and disinfection of the cooling tower, are currently ongoing to address the contamination.
Health officials have warned that there may still be a risk of exposure to the public, especially for those within a half-mile radius of the cooling tower’s location. Legionella bacteria, which is naturally present in bodies of fresh water, can pose a threat when it grows and spreads in building water systems like cooling towers. Most people catch Legionnaires’ disease by inhaling the bacteria from water droplets or mist.
While infections typically do not spread from person to person, individuals who are older, current or former smokers, have weakened immune systems, or certain medical conditions are at higher risk for developing the disease. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, usually appear within two to 14 days after exposure. Health officials are urging anyone who visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower to monitor themselves for symptoms and seek medical attention if symptoms develop, as Legionnaires’ disease can be fatal if left untreated.
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