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A cluster of patients with Legionnaires’ disease in Gaston County has prompted a Public Health investigation. The source remains elusive.
Gaston County Public Health has not yet been able to determine the source of the illnesses.
Here’s what we know about the Legionnaires’ disease in Gaston County outbreak.
Reports of Legionnaires’ disease illnesses have been brought to Gaston County Public Health since early summer. Gaston County spokesman Adam Gaub indicates that the county has confirmed nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the county since May.
The specific area where cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Gaston County has not been explicitly reported, however a press release issued by the Public Health indicates the county as a whole.
Gaston County contains 13 major cities and townships along with seven other unincorporated towns. The Largest include the City of Gastonia with a population 80,411 as of the 2020 census. Other large cities in the county include City of Mount Holly with a population of 17,703, and City of Belmont with a population of 15,010.
Incorporated areas include:
Unincorporated areas include:
It can be difficult to pinpoint exactly where people became sick with Legionnaires’ disease. In some cases, it could take a week or more for symptoms to begin and the illness is often misdiagnosed. Without specialized tests performed to differentiate between Legionnaires’ disease and typical pneumonia, these illnesses often are not included in the data.
People who lived or spent time in the Gaston County, North Carolina area during the two weeks before their illness began may be included in this outbreak cluster.
According to the press release, “people with symptoms or general concerns should contact their health care provider.”
As more information becomes available, Public Health will be armed with data to help narrow the source of contamination.
If you live or have stayed or visited in the Gaston County, North Carolina area in the past two weeks, be on the lookout for Legionnaires’ disease symptoms. The earlier an accurate diagnosis is made, the better your odds will be for faster recovery.
Common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
Some people with Legionnaires’ disease may also experience diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.
Symptoms usually begin around 2 to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria, though in some cases it may take longer.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious illness. So severe that 1 in 10 people with Legionnaires’ disease will die from complications of their illness. This statistic increases to 1 in 4 if contracted in a health care facility setting.
While not everyone who is exposed will become sick, certain groups of people are more susceptible to infection and more serious illness.
These include:
Those in these higher risk groups should see their health care provider right away if they begin experiencing respiratory symptoms. Notify your doctor of your potential exposure.
People become sick with Legionnaires’ disease after inhaling Legionella bacteria. These microscopic germs live in freshwater environments like lakes and streams. But they can also grow in human-made water systems. There, they pose a serious health risk.
People become infected when they breathe in water droplets containing the microscopic bacteria. They can grow to infectious numbers in large water systems and easily spread when water becomes aerosolized.
Common human-made water systems at risk for spreading Legionella bacteria:
Home air-conditioning systems and car systems are not a risk for Legionella growth as they do not use water to cool the air.
Even more rare (but possible), people may become infected by drinking water contaminated with Legionella bacteria if it accidentally reaches someone’s lungs after it is swallowed.
It is unlikely that you can become sick when exposed to someone with Legionnaires’ disease as it is not typically contagious except in extremely rare circumstances.
If you have become sick with Legionnaires’ disease symptoms and live or have visited or staying the Gaston County, North Carolina area within the two weeks prior to becoming sick, you may be wondering what you should do.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious illness for some people. It can be life-threatening or fatal in some cases. Get medical help immediately to increase your chances of faster recovery.
Legionnaires’ disease diagnosis is not just about symptoms and basic diagnostics. Even chest x-rays are ambiguous when it comes to differentiating Legionnaires’ disease from typical pneumonial illnesses. A specialized laboratory test must be performed to confirm Legionnaires’ disease diagnosis.
If you have Legionnaires’ disease, Gaston County Public Health will likely want to talk with you. The investigation needs more information. Namely, where sick people have been in the time before falling ill. Make a list while this information is fresh in your mind. Included places you have stayed or visited, being as thorough as possible with dates.
Legionnaires’ disease is a completely preventable illness. Appropriate sanitation measures prevent the growth of Legionella bacteria and avoid unnecessary illnesses. A Legionnaires’ disease lawyer can help you recover medical bills, lost income, and other expenses involved in the burden of recovering from Legionnaires’ disease or on behalf of loved ones who succumbed to illness.
If you wish to file a lawsuit for financial compensation, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!
Our team has successfully won millions of dollars for those wronged in Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks. Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email to go over the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (Contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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