An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Minnesota has been traced to the local water supply, state health officials report.
The state had 134 cases and six deaths last year during the outbreak, which is caused by a bacterial infection that damages people’s lungs and causes a severe form of pneumonia.
Now the outbreak in at least one northeastern Minnesota city has been traced to the area’s municipal water supply, which provides more than 3,200 residents with water through their faucets and showerheads.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed that the 14 cases in Grand Rapids were caused by people being exposed to contaminated water, such as washing hands, taking showers and baths and brushing their teeth.
The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed that 14 cases of Legionnaires’ disease were linked to the city water supply in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The state reported a total of 134 cases and six deaths last year
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella
Jessica Hancock-Allen, director of the MDH Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention, and Control Division, said, “We are taking this situation very seriously.”
‘Although most people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not develop Legionnaires’ disease, it is best to contact your doctor straight away if you experience symptoms of pneumonia, such as coughing, shortness of breath, fever and headache.’
‘Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics, but prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment are important.’
MDH found that water samples from two unnamed buildings in Grand Rapids were positive for Legionella and closely resembled the samples detected in the patients’ medical tests.
Tom Hogan, director of MDH’s Environmental Health Division, said, “We are working with the local water utility to determine the best way to address the situation.”
“Additional water sampling is planned and the results will be analyzed and used for additional actions and communications.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella, which is found in freshwater environments such as lakes and streams.
However, it can also grow in man-made water systems such as shower heads and faucets, hot tubs, decorative fountains, hot water tanks and heaters, and large plumbing systems that are not cleaned often enough, leaving them exposed to bacteria.
According to the CDC, water containing Legionella can aerosolize or turn into droplets that people inhale.
And while it’s less common, people can also drink water that contains the bacteria.
Legionaries are not distributed among people.
MDH said in its announcement: “In this outbreak, the most likely source of exposure appears to be water mist from building fixtures such as showers or faucets.”
The CDC reports that most people exposed to Legionella do not become ill, but some groups are more at risk for illness than others.
The agency estimates that 8,000 to 10,000 cases are reported annually in the U.S., although the actual number is likely higher because many cases go undiagnosed. About 15 out of 100 people who get the infection are expected to die.
This includes people over 50, current or former smokers, people with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, people with weakened immune systems, and people with underlying diseases such as diabetes or organ failure.
Symptoms usually develop between two and fourteen days after exposure to the bacteria. According to the Mayo Clinic, early signs include headache, muscle aches and fever and chills.
As the disease progresses, patients may experience coughing up blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and confusion.
According to the CDC, Legionella bacteria grows in natural water supplies, but can be found in complex water systems
Once diagnosed, Legionnaires’ disease requires treatment with antibiotics.
Pontiac fever, meanwhile, is an equally milder infection than Legionnaires’ disease, leading to fever and muscle aches. Symptoms typically occur within hours to three days of exposure to Legionella and last less than a week.
The disease usually goes away on its own.
Julie Kennedy, general manager of Grand Rapids Public Utilities, said the immediate city plans to flush and disinfect all parts of the water system and introduce a system to add more chlorine to the water, which would help it to disinfect.
“We will provide local updates and notices to customers as that plan develops, while we continue to work with MDH and a team of experts to conduct a thorough assessment of our water distribution system to determine the best long-term solution,” she said.
The CDC recommends regularly cleaning all appliances that use water, such as faucets and shower heads, as well as medical equipment such as CPAP machines.