The Legionnaire’s disease outbreak connected to Hopkins has claimed a life, and is now up to 14 confirmed cases.
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“While it’s unfortunate to see a death, we are not surprised that one has occurred in an outbreak of this size”, the Minnesota Health Department said Wednesday in a statement.
All cases involve people who lived, worked or were exposed to the Hopkins area.
An investigation is now ongoing, and SCHD officials are working with the establishment to identify sources of transmission, to remediate to prevent future transmission and to educate staff and patrons on the disease including signs and symptoms.
MDH officials say the victims range in age from their 20s to their 90s, and most are still hospitalized.
The disease is named after the outbreak where it was first identified, the 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia.
Officials expect to see additional cases because the disease is hard to diagnose and has a long incubation period.
Legionnaires Disease is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria.
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The key to preventing Legionnaires Disease is maintenance of the water systems in which Legionella bacteria grow, including drinking water systems, hot tubs, decorative fountains and cooling towers, the SCHD said.
