Health Departments from two of the North Carolina countries are now looking at the multiple cases of Legionnaires’ disease choosing the North Carolina Mountain State Fair as their platform.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has revealed in a news release on Tuesday that it is currently working with the Henderson County and Buncombe County health departments in order to track down additional information.
Jennifer Mullendore, a medical director from Buncombe County Health and Human Services, has said that they have reportedly pointed out nine cases of Legionnaires’ diseases with the help of local medical providers since last week. And one person has reportedly passed away.
The Legionella bacteria have become a health concern as they keep growing up and these bacteria tend to spread in human-made water systems such as the hot water tanks, air conditioning systems as well as the other sources that are not maintained and cleaned at regular intervals.
Dr. Zack Moore, the state epidemiologist, has said that information has not yet currently known if the people who are attending the fair have been exposed to the Legionella bacteria. Dr. Zack Moore has said that if anyone who has attended the fair is experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath must call their health care provider as soon as possible.
A person who is currently developing the Legionnaires’ disease might come in contact with the bacteria when they breathe in a mist or accidentally ended up swallowing water that is contaminated with Legionella bacteria.
Every year, about 150 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported in North Carolina.
Legionnaires’ disease can be treated effectively with the antibiotics that were made available thanks to the developments in the biomedical sector. It can be a serious illness and can cause Pontiac fever that is a similar flu-like illness.