LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE: For those old enough to remember, back in the 1970's there was an outbreak of a mysterious pneumonia-like illness that took the lives of many people who attended the American Legion Convention in Philadelphia in 1976. The illness --caused by a then unknown strain of bacteria -- was called "Legionnaires' Disease". Doctors determined those infected breathed in airborne bacteria in water vapors that came from a defective air-conditioning unit in the hotel where the Legionnaires were staying.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 6,000 cases of Legionnaires are reported annually and about 1 in 10 persons infected
die from the illness. In the past few weeks there have been 7 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease and another 5 possible cases in the Northeast Texas region. And the common link appears to be that all those infected had attended the East Texas State Fair which took place in Tyler, Texas in late September of this year. Legionnaires' disease is an illness that doctor's are required to report to state and local health departments.
Jason Geslois, an epidemiologist with the North East Texas Public Health District in Tyler, Texas. He explained how these infections appear to be connectioned.
"We identified an association with those that attended the East Texas State Fair between the dates of September 20th and 29th," explained Geslois." And we're still working on investigating possible sources of exposure or any other type of contamination , how these people might've gotten sick."
Symptoms associated with Legionnaires' disease include: high fever, weakness, muscle aches, headaches and shortness of breath. People most at risk are usually over 50 years of age or older, typically smokers or former smokers, and have some form of respiratory condition such as emphysema, COPD, and weakened immune system.
Legionnaires' disease can be fatal as 1 in 10 persons infected can die from it. It can be easily detected in a urine test and if diagnosed, can be successfully treated with antibiotics. If you attended the East Texas State Fair in Tyler last September and are experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms, you should see your doctor right away and let them know you attended the fair. For more information on this illness and health resources CLICK: NORTHEAST TEXAS PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT WEBSITE
