DHHS Identifies Five People Diagnosed with Legionnaire's Disease After Visiting Area in Downtown Lincoln, NH

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) has identified five people who developed Legionnaire’s disease in June and July. Legionnaire’s disease is a bacterial pneumonia caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria. All five individuals may have been exposed to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort in the downtown area of Lincoln, New Hampshire.

Based on investigations and testing conducted with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), DHHS confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria contaminating the cooling tower. RiverWalk is partnering with DHHS to address the contamination, with additional test results for the cooling tower expected next week. 

Most healthy people who are exposed to Legionella bacteria do not get sick. However, because the cooling tower is still in operation while remediation is ongoing, there may continue to be some risk of exposure to the public, especially for people within a half-mile of the cooling tower’s location (see map below). Anyone who is visiting the specified area should assess their health risk. Those who are older, are current or former smokers, have weakened immune systems, or have certain medical conditions like chronic lung disease and diabetes are at higher risk for developing Legionnaire’s disease. 

“Anybody who has visited the area near the contaminated cooling tower should monitor themselves for symptoms,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, New Hampshire State Epidemiologist. “People who develop fever or other symptoms of pneumonia within 14 days after spending time in this area should talk to their healthcare provider about testing for Legionella infection.”

Legionella are naturally occurring environmental bacteria that can grow in water systems and infect people who breathe in contaminated water droplets from showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towers, misters, and decorative fountains. Infections do not spread from person to person. 

Many people who are exposed to Legionella bacteria develop only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, the bacteria can cause a more serious pneumonia called Legionnaire’s disease, which can be fatal if left untreated. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after exposure and can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

If you have questions about this investigation or Legionnaire’s disease, please call DPHS at 603-271-4496. For more information about Legionella, please visit the DHHS Waterborne Disease webpage or the CDC webpage.

Area of potential Legionella exposure in downtown Lincoln, New Hampshire