Five individuals in Lincoln, New Hampshire, contracted Legionnaires’ disease, potentially due to exposure to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind a local resort, as indicated by the state health department on Monday. The cases of bacterial pneumonia occurred in June and July, arising from inhaling tainted water droplets from various sources like showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers, misters, and decorative fountains, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services disclosed.
Tests confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the cooling tower at the RiverWalk Resort in Lincoln, and the resort is collaborating with the department to address the contamination. There are expectations of additional test results for the tower by next week. Although most healthy individuals exposed to the bacteria do not fall ill, there is a continued risk of exposure to the public due to the tower remaining operational during remediation, particularly for individuals within a half-mile radius of its location near Main Street.
Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist, advised anyone who visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower to monitor themselves for symptoms. If individuals experience fever or pneumonia symptoms within 14 days of being in the area, they should consult a healthcare provider for Legionella infection testing. Symptoms may also include cough and shortness of breath.
People at higher risk of developing Legionnaires’ disease include older individuals, current or former smokers, those with weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease, or diabetes, according to the news release. Last year, the health department reported five cases of the disease among individuals who stayed at a campground in Meredith between early fall 2021 and January 2023. All affected individuals were hospitalized but eventually recovered.
