(Washington Insider Magazine)-NAPA COUNTY, California (Transatlantic Today) – Health officials said that in California’s Napa County, one individual died and 11 people were ill with the rare ailment known as Legionnaires’ disease, including 3 who are currently being treated in hospitals.
According to the county health department, the Legionella bacteria that causes illness has been found in the cooling tower of the Embassy Suites Napa Valley in the city of Napa, although an investigation is underway and other sources are being examined.
At a news briefing on Wednesday, Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio stated that none of the 12 people who became ill during the outbreak that started on July 11 had stayed at the hotel or worked there.
She said that all 12 are locals of Napa County, not tourists, and that several of them live close to the hotel.
One of the three patients who remained in the hospital on Wednesday was using a ventilator, according to Relucio. Eight others made a full recovery.
Water is where the Legionella bacteria reside, but when that water is aerosolized, it may spread.
The health agency stated that the cooling tower has been shut down, which mitigates any ongoing threat to the public’s health.
According to the agency, it’s also typical to uncover many sources in an outbreak area.
Serious pneumonia is a result of legionnaires’ disease. The deceased person was reported as having significant illness risk factors and being older than 50.
Relucio stated that the sickness has affected patients ranging in age from 58 to 80.
A request for comment Wednesday night was not immediately answered by Hilton, the business that owns Embassy Suites.
Relucio said that despite the illness’s potential 14-day incubation period, neither hotel guests nor staff members had been found to have caught the illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that most healthy persons exposed to the germs do not acquire the illness.
Those at higher risk include those over 50, immunocompromised individuals, previous or current smokers, and those with lung conditions.
According to the agency, the bacteria may be found naturally in freshwater sources like lakes, but its major threat to people comes from when it multiplies and spreads in artificial building water systems.
Relucio noted that Legionnaires’ disease is uncommon. According to NBC NEWS, Napa County typically has between 0 and 2 Legionella cases each year.
According to the health department, the Twelve cases were reported to health officials between July 11 and July 27. They both reside in the city of Napa, however one of them also has a history of visiting Calistoga, according to Relucio.
