United States: Legionnaires’ disease is another biological threat to the general public of the United States; the cases related to the disease have started to surge after a person died and one has been severely infected and is seeking medical assistance in a hospital in New Hampshire.

The two (2) cases have been investigated by New Hampshire health officials, and the preliminary information revealed that the cases have been linked to the stay at the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa in Whitefield, New Hampshire, according to the reports by Fox23.

Accordingly, both the victims are from out of state and were not staying at the resort together. However, the local reports mentioned that both were older adults; the decreased victim was identified as 71-year-old Barbara Kruschwitz from Massachusetts.

Kruschwitz lost her life to Legionnaires’ on October 10, according to the details shared by her husband during an interview with WCVB. He further informed that his wife used the hot tub of the resort and also swam in the pool.

However, the officials have not revealed the details related to the infected individual, but it is known that the victim is from Rhode Island. The authorities have also not shared the victim’s current condition.

Is Legionnaires’ disease a threat?

Biology explained that the Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia, also known as lung infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has informed that the infection is spread by Legionella bacteria.

According to the health agency, the common symptoms of the infection are cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches. The symptoms start to begin within two to fourteen days of exposure to bacteria; however, it can take a bit longer, as per the official website of the CDC. The bacteria can also cause some other symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, and confusion.

Is Legionnaires’ easily transmissible?

The New Hampshire Department of Human Health and Services (NH DHHS) has revealed that human infection can be easily transferred from one infected person to another through inhalation of contaminated water aerosols.

The statement by the Health Department read, “Most Legionella infections are sporadic; however, outbreaks can occur and are often associated with exposure to contaminated communal water supplies in large facilities such as hospitals, hotels, or apartment buildings,” as per the details shared by the FOX News.

What places should be avoided for protection against the bacteria?

According to the details shared by the CDC about the disease and infection, the bacteria can be found in the water bodies with freshwater, such as lakes and streams. Accordingly, the concerns and worries about bacteria increase after they grow and spread in human-made building water systems – including showerheads and sink faucets, cooling towers, hot tubs, as well as complex plumbing systems.

According to the reports by Fox News, the resort and spa have also not confirmed whether the resort was the source of the disease. However, the authorities took its official Facebook account to share a statement, which read, “Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa is fiercely committed to the well-being of all those who walk through the door.”

Furthermore, they mentioned, “The state confirmed they cannot be certain where these individuals contracted their infection, and we are working closely with the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services and New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services to determine if the two individuals were affected as a result of visiting the property in the fall of 2023.”

While concluding their comment, the authorities of the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa stated, “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.”