Eastern Shore Condo Source of Legionnaires’ Disease

Ocean City, MD — A beachfront condo on Maryland’s Eastern Shore has been determined to be the source of four cases of the sometimes fatal Legionnaires' disease.

Two people contracted the lung disease after they stayed in the Golden Sands Condominium building in Ocean City, NBC Washington reports.

Worcester County Health Department officials found two cases in the fall, and two more cases were identified in June, agency spokeswoman Kathy Derr said.

None of the four cases have been fatal.

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia and is spread through water containing legionella bacteria, health experts say. It is not contagious person-to-person.

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The bacteria responsible for the respiratory infection was found in the condo’s tap water system, the DelMarva Times reports.

A second chlorine filtration unit was added several months ago to treat the condo water, and the county has required that the water quality be tested every two weeks.

Legionnaires' Disease Symptoms

Legionnaires’ disease is similar to other types of pneumonia, says the Centers for Disease Control, with symptoms that include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• High fever
• Muscle aches
• Headaches

Legionnaires’ disease can also be associated with other symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and confusion. Symptoms usually begin two to 10 days after being exposed to the bacteria, but it can take about two weeks for signs of the illness to show.

If you develop pneumonia symptoms, see a doctor right away. Be sure to mention if you may have been exposed to Legionella, have used a hot tub, spent any nights away from home or stayed in a hospital in the last two weeks.

The bacteria linked to the disease is found naturally in freshwater lakes and streams. The CDC says it can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made water systems like:

• Hot tubs that aren’t drained after each use
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Large plumbing systems
• Cooling towers (air-conditioning units for large buildings)
• Decorative fountains

»Screenshots from Ocean City, Maryland, webcams