PENSAUKEN, N.J. (WPVI) — The New Jersey Department of Health and the Camden County Health Department are warning residents to be cautious about Legionnaires’ disease after new cases were identified.
Legionnaires’ disease is a bacterial disease that can be contracted by inhaling small droplets of water containing Legionnaires’ bacteria.
“It can come from mist from cooling towers, usually from hot tubs, and from people using public water in hotels. It can also be in public buildings and residential buildings,” explained Dr. Paschal Nwako, Camden County Health Officer . .
Dr Nwako said the bacterial disease had been detected in the area since October, but the risk remains low at this time.
The Department of Health has confirmed four official cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Pennsauken. While Dr. Nwako says there are other cases in Camden County, these four specific cases are very close.
“We know these people live within one mile of each other, so we are looking at the municipality’s water supply,” Dr Nwako said.
Officials are looking into the water supply, but he says it may have come from another municipality, so they’re urging people to be aware of symptoms.
“Fever, cough, shortness of breath and aches and pains are the symptoms. We are just adding another disease to pile on what happens this time of year,” Dr Nwako said.
With health officials seeing the worst flu season in years, COVID and RSV, they are encouraging people to wear masks in large crowds.
Officials recommend first ruling out COVID if you feel unwell and contacting your health care provider to discuss your symptoms.
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