United States: The Health Authorities of Minnesota, the state of the United States, sounded alarm after a cluster of 14 Legionnaires’ diseases were reported in Grand Rapids. The disease has been traced to the municipal water supply, according to the investigation conducted by the state health officials.
After the cases were reported in the water system of the city, the experts have been planning to disinfect the water system, contributing towards the decrease in the risk of the disease. It is to be noted that a person could get infected with Legionaries after consuming water droplets containing Legionella bacteria, according to Star Tribune.
It is noteworthy that the infection could be fatal in one out of 10 cases. Meanwhile, as of now, no person has succumbed to the infection; however, 11 have been admitted to the hospitals.
According to the epidemiologist supervisor for the waterborne diseases unit of the Minnesota Department of Health – Trisha Robinson, the residents of multiple buildings and homes in Grand Rapids were infected with the disease. Legionella bacteria was found in all the water systems of two buildings. It is to be noted that the bacterial strains from both suspected buildings were identical, as per Star Tribune.
In addition to this, other possible sources of infection were surveyed by the investigators, but the commonality in all 14 cases shows that exposure to the city water supply was the only risk factor.
How is the infection transferred?
According to the explanation by Trisha Robinson, the infections could not transfer from drinking water; however, they could infect a person after inhaling water droplets from a shower, faucet, spray bottle, or power washer.
The reports mentioned that the health experts commenced after the first-ever case was identified in Grand Rapids in the month of April. It is to be noted that the infection spreads quickly during the warm months and in stagnant water, especially if it is not treated with chlorine.
Legionnaires’ cases in Minnesota!
In 2023, the state reported around 134 Legionaries cases and six (6) deaths; however, the investigation was not triggered because of them. Robinson highlighted that the latest outbreak in Grand Rapids was major but not the largest.
In addition to this, earlier in 2016, more than 20 Legionnaires’ cases and a death linked to the disease were reported. The cases were found at a beverage plant in Hopkins, according to the reports by Star Tribune.
Which population is most prone to the infection?
According to health experts, the most affected population by the disease is people aged 50 or above, people who smoke, or have any chronic health condition – affecting the immune system. The symptoms of the disease must be monitored closely, according to Minnesota’s local health department.