Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionnaire's disease,Outbreaks & Recalls on June 2, 2025
Public Health investigators are investigating an uptick in cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Gaston County that started last summer.
As the temperatures begin to rise, Gaston County Public Health wants to get a handle on this situation to determine the source.
Here’s what we know about the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Gaston County and what you should do if you experience symptoms.
County Public Health officials are concerned for potential cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Gaston county this year. Particularly after last summer’s dramatic increase.
By September 2024, Gaston County, North Carolina had 10 cases of Legionella infections for the year. To put that into perspective, there were eight confirmed cases in 2023 and only three confirmed cases in 2022. With most cases of Legionnaires’ disease improperly diagnosed as typical pneumonia illness, the true number of cases is likely much higher.
Even more troubling, is the fact that no source was identified for these illnesses.
The investigation confirms that these patients eighter lived or spent time in Gaston County during the two weeks before their illness began.
Not much to go on.
This year’s cases will likely surpass even last year’s number.
Reports of Legionnaires’ disease cases in this area have already started coming in.
As of May 23, 2025, Gaston County Public Health has already received reports of seven cases of Legionnaires’ disease.
They all have the same thing in common as previous clusters. Each sick person indicated that they live or have stayed in Gaston County, North Carolina in the two weeks prior to becoming sick.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling microscopic Legionella bacteria. This often happens when these bacteria contaminate a water supply and become suspended in aerosolized water droplets. Something like water mist.
Inhaling this mist can move these waterborne bacteria into your lungs where they can cause infection.
While this bacterium is naturally occurring in freshwater environments (lakes, streams, etc.), they can also grow in human-made water systems. In fact, that is how most Legionnaires’ disease infections take place.
Certain human-made water systems are better suited for growing and spreading harmful Legionella bacteria. But anything that generates a mist or spray can spread bacteria.
Common sources of Legionnaires’ disease include:
Fortunately, not all air conditioning systems are vulnerable. For example, cars and most home air-conditioning systems are not a risk for Legionella growth. These types of systems do not use water to cool the air.
The most common sources of Legionnaires’ disease involve hot tubs and cooling towers.
Even more rare, but possible, people may become infected by drinking water contaminated with Legionella bacteria if it accidentally reaches someone’s lungs after it is swallowed. This happens when water “goes down the wrong hole” or in cases of near drowning.
Contaminated water mist is pretty much the only way to become sick with Legionnaires’ disease. Unlike other respiratory illnesses, you cannot get it from another infected person.
While there have been a hand full of reports of this type of transmission, occurrence is extremely rare. Other factors likely contributed to those situations.
According to Gaston County Public Health, previous Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks have been linked to various environmental water sources.
Namely, cooling towers, building plumbing systems, hot tubs, and decorative fountains.
The usual suspects.
Health investigators are working closely with North Carolina Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify potential sources of this bacterial outbreak. Once a source is discovered, remediation efforts can begin to prevent future illnesses.
For now, the agency is asking for help from those who have experienced Legionnaires’ disease or pneumonial illness.
The only way to know for sure if your illness is Legionnaires’ disease and not some other respiratory illness is a specialized laboratory test for the bacteria.
Legionnaires’ disease is an often-underdiagnosed illness. This is because symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are very similar to other types of pneumonia illnesses. In fact, Legionnaires’ disease is often indistinguishable from typical pneumonia. Even on a chest x-ray.
Legionnaires’ disease generally produces respiratory and flu-like symptoms.
Common symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
These symptoms usually begin around 2 to 14 days after exposure. However, in some cases, illness may take longer to present.
Other symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms should be taken very seriously. Most Legionnaires’ disease cases require hospitalization. These illnesses can be fatal. 1 in 10 individuals with Legionnaires’ disease will die from complications of their illness. In a health care setting, this risk elevates to 1 in 4.
If you have pneumonia symptoms and have recently been to Gaston County, North Carolina, Gaston County Public Health urges you to follow up with your Primary Care Provider for evaluation. Notify your healthcare provider of your recent exposure risk for appropriate diagnostic testing.
County health officials have also alerted area health care providers to be on the lookout for patients with symptoms that may indicate Legionnaires’ disease.
You may be contacted by the agency to answer some questions that may help investigators narrow down the source of the outbreak.
Consider getting a head start by writing down the places you have been in the two weeks prior to becoming sick. Be as specific as possible.
Patient interviews will be reviewed to determine if there is any overlap. Overlaps may point to a source of infection.
Legionnaires’ disease is a preventable illness. Simple routine maintenance keeps these harmful germs from growing and infecting those entering the facility. Even more importantly. This maintenance is required by health authorities.
Lapses in these safety protocols leave people vulnerable to illness.
Medical bills, lost wages, and other burdens associated with Legionnaires’ disease add up. An experienced Legionnaires’ disease lawyer can help answer questions you may have about your situation and point you toward the resources you need. If you wish to make a legal claim, they can help you every step of the way.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has won millions of dollars in Legionnaire’s’ disease cases for families in situations just like yours.
If you or a family member has visited or stayed in Gaston County, North Carolina and have been impacted by Legionnaires’ disease, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Legionnaires’ disease lawyer that can help.
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no-obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)