Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Kills One, Infects 21 in Central Iowa

Health officials in Marshall County, Iowa, have confirmed an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease with 18 reported cases and one death, involving an older adult with underlying health conditions. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which typically spreads through inhaling contaminated water mist from sources such as showerheads, hot tubs, and cooling towers. Symptoms include cough (sometimes with blood), fever, headache, shortness of breath, chest pain, and mental confusion, and the disease can be fatal if untreated. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and the Marshall County Public Health Department are working closely with federal partners to investigate and monitor the outbreak, though details on the source and patient conditions have not been disclosed. While most healthy people exposed to the bacteria do not get sick, those at higher risk include older adults, smokers, and individuals with certain health conditions. There is no vaccine to prevent Legionnaires' disease, so prevention relies on proper maintenance of water systems where the bacteria may grow.