Two cases of Legionnaire's disease were reported in New Hampshire. Both individuals stayed at the same resort.
Legionnaire's Disease Reported From Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa Guests
Health officials announced on Friday that the two elderly people diagnosed with Legionnaire's disease stayed at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield. However, the precise mechanism and location of their illness's transmission are still being investigated.
According to them, the two individuals are unrelated and had separate stays at the resort. One was from Rhode Island, and the other from Massachusetts. The latter died due to the disease.
Dr. Benjamin Chan with the New Hampshire Department of Health said the guests stayed at the resort "at different times." They stayed in different months and occupied different rooms.
"Both of them were older adults and both of them were hospitalized for their infection, which oftentimes is the case with Legionnaires disease," Chan explained.
In a comment on Facebook, after one netizen brought up the death of the Massachusetts guest, the resort announced that it is "fiercely committed to the well-being" of its guests. The resort also mentioned that the state was still unsure where the individual contracted the infection and noted that they were working closely with the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to determine if they were affected due to visiting the property in the Fall of 2023.
"We are continuing to follow our stringent and consistent protocols to ensure the utmost health and safety of our guests and employees while we await test results recently conducted to confirm the potential source," the resort announced.
Water systems can become contaminated by the bacteria that cause legionnaires' illness. Inhaling water droplets from showers, hot tubs, or faucets might cause illness.
Investigators are testing the resort's water system following the reports.
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What Is Legionnaire's Disease?
Legionnaires' (LEE-juh-nares) disease is a severe form of pneumonia, or lung infection, brought on by the bacteria Leggionella (LEE-juh-nell-a), which is naturally found in freshwater environments like streams and lakes. Individuals may become ill if they inadvertently consume water contaminated with Legionella or breathe in tiny water droplets. The bacteria could spread in showerheads, sink faucets, cooling towers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, hot water tanks, heaters, and large, complex plumbing systems.
Legionella can spread through water in building systems in tiny enough droplets for humans to breathe in once the bacteria has grown and multiplied. When people live in minute water droplets that carry bacteria in the air, they can have Legionnaires' disease or Pontiac fever.
It happens less frequently, but aspirating water contaminated with Legionella can make individuals sick. When drinking water inadvertently enters the lungs, this occurs. Individuals who have trouble swallowing are more likely to aspirate.
People rarely infect others with Pontiac fever or Legionnaires' disease. However, under certain uncommon situations, this might be achievable.
Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. However, some people are at increased risk, like those who are older than 50 years old, current or former smokers, individuals with chronic lung disease or weak immune systems, and people with cancer and underlying illnesses like diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure.
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