Orange County Health Care Agency identified three additional cases of Legionnaires’ among individuals who had been to Anaheim, but not Disneyland. In total, 10 of the infected individuals were hospitalized. One patient with additional health issues died. Infected individuals were between the ages of 52 and 94.
“We conducted a review and learned that two cooling towers had elevated levels of Legionella bacteria,” said Pamela Hymel, CMO for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, according to CNN. “These towers were treated with chemicals that destroy the bacteria and are currently shut down. We have proactively shared this information with OCHCA and given our actions, they have indicated there is no longer any known risk associated with our facilities.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a virulent type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. The illness can be contracted by inhaling mist from infected water sources, such as cooling towers, steam rooms and plumbing systems. It is not spread by person-to-person contact or by drinking water.
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