Since mid-July, there has been an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in California’s wine region, which has resulted in one fatality and almost a dozen hospitalizations. Public health experts have identified one potential source of the bacterium that causes the sickness, authorities announced on Wednesday.
A water sample taken from a cooling tower at the Embassy Suites Napa Valley contained significant concentrations of Legionella bacteria, despite the fact that none of the sick had visited or stayed there, according to a Napa County statement.
“The cooling tower has since been taken offline, limiting any ongoing risk to public health,” the statement said.
However, “we must continue to investigate other cooling towers and water sources in the outbreak area, as it is common to find more than one source,” Dr. Karen Relucio, the county’s health officer, said in the statement. County and state public health investigators have been collaborating with hotel staff to “remediate the source of exposure.”
A bacterium that thrives in warm water causes the pneumonia-like condition known as legionnaires’ disease. It was given its name after the outbreak that was originally discovered, which occurred at a Philadelphia American Legion convention in 1976.
People who breathe in water vapor carrying the bacterium can develop Legionnaires’ illness.
“Outbreaks are commonly associated with buildings or structures that have complex water systems, like hotels and resorts, long-term care facilities, hospitals, and cruise ships,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The most likely sources of infection include water used for showering, hot tubs, decorative fountains, and cooling towers.”
Antibiotics can be used to treat the illness, which is not communicable, but some people, such as those with previous medical conditions, may be at risk. Muscle aches, fever, and chills are symptoms.
Since July 11, 12 people from Napa County have been admitted to hospitals with the illness. According to the county, one person died and three people are still in the hospital.
The county stated that the individual was above 50 and had “risk factors for severe disease.”
The CDC estimates that there were roughly 10,000 recorded cases of Legionnaires’ disease each year in the United States, but because the illness is likely underdiagnosed, the actual number may be substantially higher.
According to the World Health Organization, the illness typically lasts two to five days and can cause anything from a minor cough to a “rapidly deadly” bout of pneumonia. Respiratory failure, shock, and severe kidney failure are only a few of the disease’s complications.
Despite the rarity of the infection, Relucio noted that the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease are widespread in nature and can be found in artificial water systems. Therefore, it’s crucial for owners and administrators of water systems that can produce aerosols to take action to stop Legionella from multiplying and spreading within those systems.