The New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services is currently investigating a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak linked to Mountain View Grand Resort, located in Whitefield, New Hampshire. Two out-of-state residents were recently diagnosed with the Legionnaires’ disease, both stayed at the resort. Here is what we know about this Mountain View Grand Resort Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak:

The agency is working to assess the potential sources of exposure and released a Health Alert to assist in gathering any other potentially linked cases.

Both Patients Otherwise Unconnected

According to Dr. Benjamin Chan, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health and Human Services, other than their stay at Mountain View Grand Resort, the two cases appear otherwise unconnected.

One patient was from Rhode Island, the other was from Massachusetts. The Massachusetts patient succumbed to the illness and recently passed away.

Not only are the two people unconnected, they stayed at the hotel at different times – their stays did not overlap. According to reports, one patient fell sick with pneumonia in October, the other was just diagnosed in December.

“They were both at the resort at different times, in fact, different months and staying in different rooms,” said Chan. “Both of them were older adults and both of them were hospitalized for their infection, which oftentimes is the case with Legionnaires’ disease.”

Hotel’s Hot Tub Currently Out of Service

According to her husband, the Massachusetts resident, Barbara Kruschwitz, who passed away swam in the pool at the resort and made use of the hot tub. Both facilities are common places for Legionella bacteria to lurk.

In addition to an investigation into the hotel’s water system, the hot tub has been taken out of service. Hot tubs are high on the list of potential vectors for Legionnaires’ disease transmission.

“Some of the common culprits that oftentimes can become contaminated and then spread contaminated water droplets in the air include things like hot tubs and water fountains,” says Chan. “In the course of our investigation, those are the types of sources that we look for that could be causing contaminated water to be spread, and people then inhale the droplets of water and can develop an infection.”

Common Sources of Legionella Bacteria

Legionella is a naturally occurring bacteria, often found in freshwater environments. It becomes dangerous when it makes its way into man-made water systems. People become sick when it becomes aerosolized and the small droplets containing the harmful bacteria are inhaled.

Common sources of dispersing Legionella bacteria include:

• Hot tubs
• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Cooling towers (such as those used in large buildings’ air-cooling systems or industrial processes)
• Large, complex plumbing systems
• Plumbing systems under construction (where dead legs may be present)

What is Legionnaires’ Disease or Legionellosis

Legionellosis is the common name for the illness associated with Legionella bacterial infections. It accounts for two types of illnesses – Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires’ disease, with Legionnaires’ disease being the most common. In fact, 98% of all legionellosis cases reported are Legionnaires’ disease. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 20 people exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick.

Unfortunately, the disease is often underdiagnosed due to the similarity between Legionnaires’ disease symptoms and other pneumonia-type illnesses. Legionnaires’ disease is sometimes indistinguishable from pneumonia, even with the benefit of chest x-rays.

Common symptoms include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headache

 

Other symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Confusion

 

People usually begin feeling sick anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure, though it can take even longer in certain cases. If left untreated, serious or life-threatening pneumonia illness may occur.

Not everyone exposed to Legionella bacteria will become sick. However, certain groups of people are at higher risk of infection. This includes those with a weakened immune system, current or former smokers, people with chronic lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or emphysema, and those over 50 years of age.

Department of Health and Human Services Alerts Healthcare Providers

In an effort to better diagnose Legionnaires’ disease illnesses and gather any potential additional cases, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services included information to healthcare providers in the published Health Alert.

Consider Legionella Infection When Evaluating Community-acquired Pneumonia

“Healthcare providers should consider Legionella infection when evaluating community-acquired pneumonia and ask patients about travel (including local travel) in the 14 days prior to symptom onset.” The alert distinguishes “community-acquired” pneumonia from “hospital-acquired” pneumonia, because hospital-acquired pneumonia would not be related to this outbreak.

Suggested Diagnostic Testing

“Diagnostic workup for Legionella infection should include both urine antigen testing (UAT) and respiratory specimen culture; if a patient is positive by UAT, then a respiratory Legionella culture should be obtained as soon as possible.” These specific tests are the primary diagnostic tests to either verify or rule-out legionellosis infection.

Healthcare Providers Should Report Suspected and Confirmed Cases

To gather as much information as possible, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services urges healthcare providers to report both suspected and confirmed legionellosis cases. The alert indicates that New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories is available to support testing, if needed.

Have You Become Sick After Staying at Mountain View Grand Resort?

Have you been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease or pneumonia following a stay at Mountain View Grand Resort? You may have a case for monetary compensation.

Legionnaires’ disease is preventable with routine cleaning and safety procedures. These procedures and cleaning activities are often mandated by local or state health authorities. When people get sick, it often occurs due to a lapse in these processes. If you have been sickened as a result of this negligence, the liable party should be held responsible.

You may be entitled to sue to receive compensation for your medical bills, hospital stay, lost wages, long-term problems as a result of the disease, pain and suffering, and/or damages for wrongful death.

The Lange Law Firm, PLLC Can Help

The experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC have represented many families with Legionnaires’ disease cases. They have recovered millions of dollars to help families and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Call (833) 330-3663 or email here for a free consultation.

By: Heather Van Tassell