Merrill Foto News

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Business Directory

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Local
    • School
    • Health
    • Business
    • Sports
      • Sports News
      • High School Sports Scores
  • Covid 19
  • Courts
  • Opinion
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Video
  • Subscribe
  • Business Directory
  • E-Edition
    • Merrill Foto News
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Business Directory

logo

Merrill Foto News

  • Home
  • Local
    • School
    • Health
    • Business
    • Sports
      • Sports News
      • High School Sports Scores
  • Covid 19
  • Courts
  • Opinion
  • Obits
  • Classifieds
  • Video
  • Subscribe
  • Business Directory
  • E-Edition
    • Merrill Foto News
HealthNews
Home›Health›Health Departments warn of increasing rates of Legionaire’s Disease

Health Departments warn of increasing rates of Legionaire’s Disease

By Jared Schmeltzer
August 14, 2019
1315
0
Share:

Watch out for Legionellosis!

Wisconsin seeing increasing rates of Legionnaire’s Disease, a severe respiratory illness
Though Legionellosis is uncommon in Lincoln County, Wisconsin has been seeing a larger number of people infected with it in the past few years.
In 2018, Wisconsin saw 334 cases of Legionellosis, which is almost double the amount from the previous year. Wisconsin isn’t the only state seeing increases in Legionellosis, either. The US is currently seeing the highest rates of Legionellosis in over 20 years.
Legionellosis comes in two forms: Pontiac Fever and Legionnaire’s Disease. While Pontiac Fever is a mild respiratory illness, Legionnaire’s Disease is more severe with pneumonia-like symptoms. These symptoms include muscle aches, headache, tiredness, loss of appetite, coughing, fever, and diarrhea.
While Legionella bacteria is found in naturally wet/moist environments worldwide, Legionellosis is transmitted to people mostly through large man-made water systems. People can become sick when they breathe in mist from a water source that contains Legionella bacteria. Common causes are inhaling steam from a hot tub or a shower, or the mist from cooling towers in air conditioning units. Outbreaks are most often linked to large complex water systems like those found in hospitals, long-term care facilities, hotels, and cruise ships. Legionellosis is not normally spread from person to person.
Those sick with Pontiac Fever need only supportive care, as it will go away on its own, but Legionnaire’s Disease must be treated with an antibiotic. “If you develop symptoms of Legionnaire’s Disease it’s important to contact your health care provider,” noted Meghan Williams, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Lincoln County Health Department.
“Be sure to mention if you spent any nights away from home in the last 10 days.”
Most healthy people that are exposed to Legionella will not become sick. People with weakened immune systems, smokers, elderly, or those who have underlying respiratory conditions, however, are at a higher risk of becoming sick with Legionellosis. Most people who become sick with Legionnaire’s Disease need to be hospitalized, but will make a full recovery. About 1 in 10 people sick with Legionnaire’s will die from the disease.
As there is no vaccine for Legionellosis, the best way to prevent the spread of it is by keeping the Legionella bacteria from growing. To do this, it is important to make sure that water systems in buildings are being properly maintained and tested regularly.

TagsFeaturedLegionaire’s DiseaseLegionellosisLincoln County Health Department
Previous Article

Seventh Annual Community Night Out set for ...

Next Article

MAPS welcomes new Associate Principals for 2019-2020

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • EventsNews

    Post-secondary accolades for area scholars announced

    June 25, 2017
    By Foto News
  • Business

    Merrill Chamber celebrates 105th birthday

    October 20, 2016
    By Foto News
  • AroundLincolnEventsHealthNews

    Drug Free Coalition to host County education forum

    October 15, 2017
    By Foto News
  • Courts / Police / FireNews

    Search warrant leads to Felony drug charges for Merrill man

    April 26, 2018
    By Foto News
  • EventsNews

    Little Lakes pitches in for Northwoods Veterans Post

    September 6, 2017
    By Foto News
  • EventsNews

    A preview of this week’s 130th Annual Lincoln County Fair

    August 15, 2018
    By Foto News

Leave a reply Cancel reply

About Us


The Foto News (ISSN 0191-8958) is published weekly by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981. Subscription price by mail: $100 per year, domestic U.S. Mail only, nonrefundable but transferable. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the FOTO NEWS, 921 East Main Street Merrill, WI 54452

Timeline

  • January 27, 2021

    Faith and service celebrated at St. Francis during Catholic Schools Week

  • January 27, 2021

    Special activities carry on tradition of Catholic Schools Week at St. Mary’s

  • January 27, 2021

    SUV narrowly misses plunging into the Wisconsin River

  • January 27, 2021

    35 years in full-time photography, 47 years making Merrill their home

  • January 27, 2021

    MHS Senior Audrey Ladewig sets goals and makes goals … on and off the ice

Find us on Facebook

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×