Napa County Experiences Outbreak Of Legionnaires' Disease

Press release from the Napa County Government:

NAPA COUNTY, CA— Napa County Public Health is investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Napa County.

Napa County Public Health is aware of nine confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease, two suspected cases, and one probable case for a total of 12 cases. All individuals have been hospitalized, and no fatalities have been reported at this time.

The cases were reported to Napa County Public Health between July 11 and July 27. The cases reside in the City of Napa and in Calistoga. Napa County Public Health is working with California Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Napa County Environmental Health Branch of the Planning Building and Environmental Services Department (PBES-EH) to investigate and mitigate the outbreak.

“This is a continuing investigation,” said Dr. Karen Relucio, Public Health Officer and Deputy Director of Health and Human Services. "As part of the investigation, PBES-EH is conducting environmental investigations to identify possible sources of exposures to the bacteria, conducting environmental sampling for Legionella, and recommending environmental remediation strategies to prevent further transmission of Legionella."

Out of an abundance of caution, Public Health recommends that individuals who live in Napa County who become ill with pneumonia-like/respiratory symptoms, such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headache visit their healthcare provider.

As it can take up to two weeks for symptoms to develop, Napa County Public Health recommends that those who develop symptoms within two weeks of being in Napa County also seek medical attention. Napa County Public Health has alerted healthcare providers in the area. Legionnaires’ disease is treatable with antibiotics.

The risk of Legionnaires’ disease among residents or recent visitors to Napa County is low. Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not develop Legionnaires’ disease. People over the age of 50, especially those who smoke cigarettes, or those with certain medical conditions, including weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or other chronic health conditions, are at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease.

Napa County Public Health receives approximately one to two reports of Legionnaires’ disease each year. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by bacteria called Legionella. People can get Legionnaires’ disease by breathing in aerosolized (small droplets) water containing Legionella bacteria. Aerosolized water can come from cooling towers (air-conditioning units for large buildings), hot tubs, cooling misters, decorative fountains, and plumbing systems. Less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of tap water containing Legionella. This happens when water accidentally goes into the lungs while drinking (“goes down the wrong pipe”). People at increased risk of aspiration include those with swallowing difficulties. Home air conditioning units do not use water to cool, so these home units do not aerosolize water and are not a risk for Legionella growth. Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person.

For more information, please visit About Legionnaires Disease and Pontiac Fever | CDC which includes Frequently Asked Questions on Legionnaires’ disease.

This press release was produced by the Napa County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.