Officials at a New Hampshire resort linked to recent Legionnaires’ disease cases said Tuesday that equipment where the bacteria may have been found appears to have been cleaned, but that state test results are not yet available.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services investigators said Monday that five people who visited Lincoln in June and July contracted Legionnaires’ disease, four of whom had to be hospitalized but have since recovered.
Riverwalk Resorts said in a statement Tuesday that tests have shown the cooling towers were successfully disinfected, and the state is still working to complete its own testing.
“We think the risk is likely significantly reduced, but we won’t know for sure whether the cleaning and disinfection has been sufficiently effective until we get test results in the next seven to 10 days,” said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist.
Health officials say all of the infected people may have been exposed to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower behind the Riverwalk Resort in Lincoln.
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Health officials have warned that older adults and those with weakened immune systems should avoid being within a half-mile of resorts or consider wearing a mask.
Some people who live and work in the area are worried about the possibility of infection, especially among the most vulnerable.
“I think COVID-19 has prepared us for what’s next and for any epidemic or anything that could potentially impact vulnerable populations,” said Maria McIntyre, program coordinator for Lynnwood Senior Services.
Chan said most healthy people who are exposed to the bacteria will not become seriously ill.
