One dies after Legionnaire’s disease outbreak in NH

Concord, NH -- The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) continues to investigate an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease associated with the Ashworth Avenue area of Hampton.

DPHS says a total of 12 people have been identified with confirmed Legionnaire’s disease.

These 12 people likely acquired the infections between early June and mid-August in the Hampton area.

One of the 12 people, an elderly adult, has died due to complications related to Legionnaire’s disease, according to DPHS.

Legionnaire’s disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. Most people exposed to Legionella will not get sick; however, it can cause severe illness and sometimes result in death, according to DPHS.

Legionnaire’s disease is acquired from breathing in small drops of water than contain the bacteria. It cannot be passed from person to person contact. It cannot be contracted by drinking or coming into physical contact with water containing the bacteria (such as while swimming).

Legionnaire’s disease symptoms are similar to other types of pneumonia and can include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches.

Symptoms will usually begin within two to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria.

However, people should watch for symptoms for about two weeks after exposure.

People who visited the area more than two weeks ago and have not developed symptoms are not at risk for disease.

If an individual visited this area and developed symptoms within 14 days of their stay, they should contact their healthcare provider and seek medical attention.

DPHS and experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working to identify a potential source of the bacteria and possible additional cases of Legionnaire’s disease.

The majority of cases stayed or resided in the Ashworth Avenue area between Island Path and M Street but may have had other exposures in the area.

As a precautionary measure, DPHS has closed the hot tub spas at the Sands Hotel and the Harris Sea Ranch Motel because hot tub spas are a known source of the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s.

The hot tubs no longer present a potential risk to the public and both hotels remain open, according to DPHS.

People with increased risk of getting sick from Legionella include:

• People with weakened immune systems
• People who take drugs that can weaken their immune systems (after a transplant operation or chemotherapy)
• People with chronic lung disease
• Current or former smokers
• People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure
• People 50 years or older

If you have information or questions about this outbreak, please call the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Public Inquiry Line by calling (603) 271-9461, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., including weekends.