Legionnaires' disease cases connected with New England campground, health officials say
Five people were hospitalized, but have since recovered
Five people were hospitalized, but have since recovered
Five people were hospitalized, but have since recovered
Five people who stayed at the Meredith Woods and Clearwater Campground in Meredith, New Hampshire have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, New Hampshire health officials said Tuesday.
The Department of Health and Human Services said the people became sick between early fall 2021 and January 2023. All five people had to be hospitalized, but they have since recovered, health officials said.
"It wasn't until this past summer when we had two additional infections identified that really started this outbreak investigation," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist.
The disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which can contaminate water systems. Health officials said people can get sick by inhaling water droplets in showers, hot tubs or faucets.
The illness isn't spread by drinking or swimming and usually isn't transmitted from one person to another, officials said.
"Anybody choosing to stay at this facility should be aware of the ongoing outbreak investigation and potential risk for exposure to Legionella bacteria through the facility's water system," Chan said. "We are working with the facility and (the Department of Environmental Services) to implement a water management plan, prevent further water system contamination, and prevent future Legionella infections."
Chan said anyone who has stayed at the facility in the past couple of weeks who develops pneumonia or fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough, shortness of breath, headache and muscle aches, should talk to their health care provider about testing for Legionella infection.
Most people don't get sick from the bacteria, but it can cause severe illness and sometimes death. Symptoms usually start within two to 14 days of exposure.
"But there are people who are at higher risk for breathing in these contaminated water droplets and developing a full-blown pneumonia or infection of the lungs," Chan said. "So people that are of an older age, people that maybe have chronic lung disease or are immunocompromised."
Maine's Total Coverage's sister station News 9 reached out to the campgrounds, but said they have no comment.