Legionnaires disease: What it is and where it's at in New Jersey

Legionnaires' Diseases, a bacterial lung infection, has begun to rear its pneumonia-inducing head across the state, with several cases reported in Essex, Morris and Ocean counties.

Several cases have been reported by officials in West Orange, Morris and Bayville, but not confirmed by the  Department of Health, said department officials. The disease, which is caused by the bacteria legionella, is a recurring problem in the Northeast during the hotter months.

"Legionella is an issue in the entire Northeast region, and the region sees seasonal increases in the summer months generally," said Dr. Tina Tan, the state epidemiologist.  "This year seems particularly active, given that we’ve seen wet and humid weather these last months."

Reported cases are still being investigated by the department. But in 2017, there were 249 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease in New Jersey, the most in more than a decade. 

What is Legionnaires' disease?

Legionnaires' disease is pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria growing in the lungs after breathing it in, according to the Department of Health. The disease, which is essentially a severe lung infection, is characterized by fever, muscle pain, cough and pneumonia.

How do you contract Legionnaires'?

The bacteria that causes Legionnaires' is found in nature, usually in fresh water lakes and streams. But it only really becomes an issue when it infiltrates a building's water system.

"People are infected with the bacteria when they breathe in steam, mist or vapor from water contaminated with Legionella bacteria," Tan said.

It's important to note that people do not become infected with Legionnaires' by drinking water. People are infected when they breathe in the bacteria through steam, mist or vapor. 

For this reason, people are usually infected through HVAC systems, spas and showers.

Also, important to note, to avoid any unnecessary finger-pointing: Legionnaires’ disease is not spread person-to-person and is not contagious.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms include fever, chills and a cough. Some people also complain of muscle pain, diarrhea and headaches.

Symptoms can start two to 14 days after breathing in the bacteria. Usually, symptoms appear five to six days after exposure.

How'd it get its name?

A name like Legionnaires' invokes images of soldiers in trenches, contracting a flesh-eating bacteria that they battled along with the proverbial enemy. 

But it's not trenchfoot, another actual disease.

Actually, the disease got its name back in 1976, after an outbreak of a then-unnamed bacterial infection at — where else — an American Legion convention in Philadelphia. 182 Legionnaires contracted the infection, and 29 dying from the disease.

Bayville

Last month, an employee at the Central Regional Middle School was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease, the school district confirmed.

It was unclear whether the employee contracted the illness at the school or while vacationing, school officials had said.

School officials had said there had been a minor leak in the school's air conditioning but that testing was underway and remediation was complete.

West Orange

This summer, a parent reported that her child attending summer camp at Redwood Elementary School was diagnosed with Legionnaires Disease, according to a statement from the West Orange School District.

Although the child was ultimately cleared of the disease, the school district conducted environmental testing at the school and testing all its schools and facilities. 

Initial testing in August showed that 4 of 15 samples taken at Redwood contained very low levels of the bacteria.

As of the latest update, results of tests of sinks and water fountains at Redwood Elementary were satisfactory and in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act standards, according to a district statement.

Morris Township

In July, one patient at the Morris View Healthcare Center was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. The patient ultimately recovered and never showed signs of the diseases, but tested positive for legionella during another visit to a hospital.

The patient was the only one in the 283-bed hospital to be diagnosed. The diagnosis led to an analysis of the center's water system and corrective measures.

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Reporting contributed by Alex N. Gecan and Peggy Wright from USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey

Email: torrejon@northjersey.com