Dangerous bacteria lurking in Wake County but isn’t an immediate threat
Two people recovering from Legionnaires’ disease both visited the same Wake County hotel in the past six weeks, and public health officials are recommending that people be on the lookout for the illness and seek medical help as soon as symptoms occur.
According to the Wake County warning issued last Friday, the lodgers had stayed at the Clarion Pointe Wake Forest Hotel before feeling ill. Officials are investigating the actual disease’s origins.
Infected people get COVID-like symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In some people, Legionnaires’ disease can cause pneumonia.
Legionnaires’ is not contagious, according to Dr. Nicole Mushonga, Wake County’s associate medical director and director of the county’s epidemiology program.
Because the disease does not move from person to person, wearing a mask will not necessarily stop it from spreading.
Inspecting and sanitizing the water supply could be a more effective way to prevent an outbreak.
The bacteria that causes the sickness, Legionella, thrives in wet areas like cooling towers, hot tubs and moist soil. People become ill when they come in contact with contaminated water, either by breathing in tiny water droplets floating in the air or choking on water that accidentally enters their lungs.
“This is always a great opportunity to remind people about appropriately treating their waters,” said Mushonga.
Symptoms usually appear 10 to 14 days after contact with the bacteria and polluted water. If people suspect they have been exposed to contaminated water and are experiencing symptoms, Wake County Public Health recommends seeking a doctor for a test.
Doctors identify Legionnaires’ disease using urine tests that screen for a molecule of Legionella in addition to looking for pneumonia symptoms.
Antibiotics are effective in treating most cases of Legionnaires’ disease, and most people recover, but it can be severe enough to lead to death.
“Unfortunately, some people can die,” Mushonga added.
Legionnaires’ disease is particularly dangerous to the elderly, anyone with chronic health disorders, smokers and people with lung illness and immune-weakening diseases.
As of Tuesday, no additional cases had been reported since Wake County issued the notice on Friday. The investigation is ongoing.
