The state Department of Health is investigating a group of cases of Legionnaire’s disease in Union County that left one person dead.
Health officials said they were aware of 14 confirmed cases of the diseases, including the death of a man in his late 60s, which was reported to the state between Feb. 3 and Feb. 26. The cases are among people living in or living in Union County.
New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli recommended that anyone experiencing symptoms should visit their doctor. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches, and the disease can be treated with antibiotics.
“Out of a wealth of caution, the Department recommends that individuals living in Union County who become ill with pneumonia-like / respiratory symptoms, such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches and headaches, visit their doctor. , ”Persichilli said.
The State Health Department receives approximately 250 to 350 reports of Legionnaires’ disease each year.
Some groups are at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease, including people over 50, smokers, and individuals with weakened immune systems or chronic lung disease. Most people who are exposed to the bacteria do not develop the disease.
Because it can take up to two weeks before the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease develop, the state suggests that individuals seek medical help if they develop symptoms within two weeks of being in Union County.
The disease does not spread from person to person. Instead, someone gets Legionnaires’ disease, a type of lung infection, by inhaling small droplets of water into the air that contain the legionella bacteria, the state said.
Aerosolized water can come from air conditioning units for large buildings, whirlpool baths, cool misters, decorative fountains and plumbing systems. Home air conditioning units do not use water to cool rooms, so there is no risk to Legionella growth.
The state health department is conducting investigations to find potential sources of exposure to the bacteria and to conduct sampling for Legionella.
Health officials have identified a number of possible sources and recovery has begun. However, the health department said that investigations into Legionnaire clusters are complicated and that the origin of the bacteria that caused infections is often not possible.
“It’s an ongoing investigation. “The risk to everyone living in Union County is very small,” Persichilli said.
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Avalon Zoppo can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo.