5 cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to cooling tower in downtown Laconia, officials say

New Hampshire health officials are asking people to avoid an area of downtown Lincoln after an investigation determined that five people who recently visited a resort hotel there have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.

The source of the outbreak has been traced to a cooling tower located on the roof of the hotel, according to a statement from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. The cooling tower has been shut down and is being disinfected.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by bacteria that grow in warm water. Symptoms of the disease include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headaches. The disease can be serious, and even fatal, in some cases.

Health officials are asking anyone who has visited the hotel in the past two weeks to monitor themselves for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease. If you develop symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately.

The hotel has been cooperating with health officials and has taken steps to prevent further spread of the disease. The hotel has been cleaned and disinfected, and guests are being advised to avoid using the pool and hot tub.

Health officials are continuing to investigate the outbreak and are working to identify other potential cases.