5 people with Legionnaires' disease exposed through cooling tower in Lincoln, NH

Max Hauptman and Melina Khan, USA TODAY

Five New Hampshire residents have developed Legionnaires' disease, after an outbreak of the bacterial infection caused by exposure to contaminated water.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services issued an advisory on August 12, confirming that five people had developed the illness in June and July after being exposed to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort in downtown Lincoln, New Hampshire.

“Anybody who has visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower should monitor themselves for symptoms,” Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire State Epidemiologist, said in a health department press release. “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.”

Health department officials said that the cooling tower would remain in operation during ongoing remediation efforts, meaning there is still a possible risk of exposure to the disease within a half-mile radius.

Approximate area of Lincoln, New Hampshire that may have been exposed to Legionnaires' disease bacteria.
Approximate area of Lincoln, New Hampshire that may have been exposed to Legionnaires' disease bacteria.

More: What is Legionnaire's disease? Five cases identified in NH. What officials say caused it

What is Legionnaires' disease?

A picture taken on May 17, 2019 shows an antigen test for quick detection and a culture of the Legionella pneumophila bacteria at the UZ Gent hospital. Since May 3rd at least 18 people were admitted to the hospital with the legionella bacteria, two persons died. The exact source is still to be determined, but thought to be found in the Evergem canal zone. (Photo by NICOLAS MAETERLINCK / BELGA / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA/AFP via Getty Images)

Legionnaires' disease is caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria. The bacteria can grow in water droplets from showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers, misters, and decorative fountains. While infections do not spread from person-to-person contact, symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other symptoms of pneumonia.

Symptoms can appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure. Health officials cautioned that most people show only minor symptoms. However, about 1 out of every 10 people who get infected with the disease will die from complications, according to the CDC.

New Hampshire public health officials cautioned anyone who has visited the downtown Lincoln area to monitor for symptoms.

Melina Khan contributed to this report.

Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Legionnaires' disease outbreak: 5 people diagnosed in Lincoln, NH

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