COUNTY OF ONSLOW

MEDIA RELEASE

Contact : George R. O’Daniel, Health Director (910) 347-7042, ext. 1 George_O’[email protected] Date: September 14, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Onslow Health Department Investigates Case of Legionnaires’ Disease

JACKSONVILLE – The Onslow County Health Department is investigating a reported case of Legionnaires’ disease. The individual lives in Onslow County but works at the Cherry Point military exchange in Craven County. The Health Department was alerted to the case on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.

“The patient, who is not contagious, has been discharged from the hospital and is recuperating at home. At this time, our Health Department is not aware of any other associated cases of the disease,” said Health Department Director, George R. O’Daniel.

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of bacterial pneumonia. A person may develop Legionnaires’disease from breathing mist or vapor droplets that have been contaminated with the bacteria Legionella . North Carolina averages about 60 cases of the disease per year. The bacteria can infect the lungs causing a serious and sometimes deadly pneumonia. Symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, body aches, headache and fatigue. The disease typically manifests 2 to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria, but can be treated effectively with antibiotics. The people at highest risk for Legionnaires’ disease include middle-aged and older people, especially if they smoke cigarettes, have chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system.

“Onslow County had five reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the last three years – none were fatal,” said Health Department Clinical Services Director, Francine Reeves. “While anyone can become infected with the bacteria that cause the disease, Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and is found naturally in the environment. Legionella can develop in specific types of warm water environments such as tanks and pipes of cooling systems of large buildings, hot tubs or whirlpool spas. The infection occurs when a person inhales bacteria-laden mist from an infected water source,” added Reeves.

Military officials have closed the Marine Corps Exchange complex at Cherry Point where the individual worked as a precautionary measure while the facility is inspected. The Onslow County Health Department is continuing its investigation, but the source of this occurrence of Legionella has not been determined at this time.

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Onslow County Health Department 612 College Street ▪ Jacksonville, North Carolina ▪ 28540 Phone: (910)347-2154 ▪ Fax: (910)347-7941 www.onslowcountync.govwww.onslowcountync.gov/health/health