LINCOLN, N.H. (WCAX) – Five people who visited Lincoln, New Hampshire, this summer have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. That’s according to the New Hampshire Department of Health.
Legionnaires’ disease is bacterial pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It can be fatal for some people.
Health officials say all five patients were exposed in June and July, and it may have been from contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort. Testing confirmed a cooling tower there was contaminated with Legionella bacteria.
RiverWalk is partnering with the health department to address the contamination, with additional test results for the cooling tower expected next week.
Health officials say because the cooling tower is still operating while remediation is underway, there may continue to be some risk of exposure to the public. They released a map of the possible exposure area.
Health officials say most healthy people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not get sick, but they advise residents and people who visited the area to watch for symptoms. Those can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Those who are older, are current or former smokers, have weakened immune systems or chronic medical conditions are at higher risk.
Anyone with questions about this investigation or Legionnaire’s disease can call the Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496. For more information about Legionella, visit the DHHS Waterborne Disease webpage or the CDC webpage.