Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by in Legionella bacteria. It can be contracted by inhaling mist from infected water sources such as cooling misters, decorative fountains or plumbing systems. It is not spread by person-to-person contact or by drinking water.
The infected individual who died was reportedly elderly. The individual’s exact age and gender remain undisclosed. Those sickened in the outbreak range in age from 20s to 90s. Some are in serious condition and suffer from comorbidities.
“While it’s unfortunate to see a death, we are not surprised that one has occurred in an outbreak of this size,” the Minnesota Health Department said Wednesday in a prepared statement, according to the Star Tribune. According to the CDC, approximately 10 percent of those who contract Legionnaires’ will die.
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HHS partners with 2 pharma companies to create new antibiotics
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