Wake County, N.C. — Wake County Public Health said it is alerting the community Friday to two diagnosed cases of Legionnaires’ disease.
Before they became ill, Wake County Public Health said both people visited the Clarion Pointe Wake Forest Hotel. The County said both individuals are recovering after treatment.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella that are found usually in water.
“Legionnaires disease is rare but dangerous,” said Dr. Alexa Mieses Malchuk with UNC. “It looks just like any other case of pneumonia. The only way you can tell whether or not it’s legionnaires is to get tested.”
Malchuk said the bacteria is not normally transmitted person to person but can be extremely dangerous for some.
“People who have a weak immune system, the elderly and anyone who has any sort of chronic lung condition including smoking,” said Malchuk.
Wake County said it encourages anyone who visited this hotel between May 1 through June 2 to monitor themselves for symptoms and seek medical care with their primary care physician or primary care clinic for Legionella if symptoms do occur.
Signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ Disease include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Fever
Most healthy people who are exposed to the bacteria do not get sick. Being 50 years or older or having certain risk factors can in increase your chances of getting sick. These can include people who:
- Are current or former smokers
- Have chronic lung disease
- Have a weakened immune system from diseases like cancer, diabetes or kidney failure
- Take medication that weakens their immune system
Anyone with questions can call Wake County Public Health at 919-250-1029. If no one answers this line over the weekend, please leave a message and someone will respond.
Wake County Public Health and Wake County Environmental Services, along with the North Carolina Division of Public Health, said they are currently investigating all potential sources of exposure to the Legionella bacteria in these two cases.
