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An unexpected surge in cases of Legionnaires ' disease in two New Jersey counties has prompt the state health department to launch an probe .
multitude catchLegionnaires ' disease , a serious bacterial lung infection , after swallow or inhaling pee droplets that containLegionellabacteria . The transmission ca n’t spread from person to person .
The bacteria behind Legionnaires' disease (pictured) can grow in various building water systems.
Legionellabacteria survive in freshwater environments , such as lakes , but they can also develop in human - made urine systems , such as spicy - piddle tanks , chill towers and showerheads . Most tidy hoi polloi queer toLegionelladon’t nightfall badly , but the disease can strikepeople ages 50 and honest-to-god , those with a history of smoking , and those with continuing lung disease , weakened immune systems , genus Cancer or diabetes .
Between August and early November , the New Jersey Department of Health ( NJDOH ) learn of 41 cases of Legionnaires ' in two counties : 21 people in Middlesex County became nauseous and tested positive forLegionella , as did 20 in Union County . No Death have been reported .
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" On average , each of these counties receives six to eight confirm reports of Legionnaires ' disease from August to October each year , " so the late bump in cases is unusual , theNJDOH note in a statement .
" NJDOH is actively collaborating with local wellness departments in Middlesex and Union counties to investigate these case and any possible sources of infection , " the statement said . " In mid - October , NJDOH alert local health department , health care providers , and other public health partners in the region regarding the raised number of report cases . To date , a vulgar vulnerability among cases has not been identified . "
Symptoms of Legionnaires ' disease — such as febrility , chills , coughing , truncation of breathing place , chest painfulness and muscle ache — can take up to two week to emerge , accord to the NJDOH . People who develop such symptoms within two week of chatter Middlesex or Union county should seek aesculapian attention , the department recommended .
— Toilet flushes may diffuse Legionnaires ' disease
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" Early diagnosis is key to efficaciously treating Legionnaires ' disease , " which can be treat with antibiotics , Dr. Kaitlan Baston , acting health commissioner , aver in the statement . " Although the risk of contracting Legionnaires ' disease if you last in or have recently visited Middlesex or Union counties persist scummy , individuals who evolve pneumonia - like respiratory symptoms should travel to their health care provider immediately to be judge . "
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