New Hampshire - Legionella Prevention and Costs of Legionnaires Outbreaks
Historical Headlines Related to Legionella
August 30, 2024
Seven cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed, which were connected to an area of downtown Lincoln in June and July of 2024. Previously, five cases of Legionnaires' disease had been linked to the area. The Department of Health and Human Services said remediation efforts to eliminate Legionella bacteria from a cooling tower behind an area resort earlier this month were successful. "The negative test results received today are good news and demonstrate the effectiveness of the cleaning and disinfection of the cooling tower," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist "Therefore, we do not believe there is currently elevated risk for Legionella infection from this cooling tower." The state said it will continue to monitor the facility to prevent regrowth of the bacteria. (Source)
August 23, 2024
According to state health officials, five people developed Legionnaires' disease following possible exposure to contaminated water droplets from a cooling tower in downtown Lincoln, New Hampshire. The five people developed the disease in June and July, New Hampshire’s Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release. They “may have been exposed” at a cooling tower behind the RiverWalk Resort, a hotel in a bustling tourist area in downtown Lincoln, authorities said. Officials from the resort have now said that the equipment, where bacteria was potentially detected, appears to have been cleaned, though state test results are still pending. (Source)
June 14, 2024
Town Meeting members voted to indefinitely postpone the Select Board’s request for authorization to sell the old police station. The property was abandoned in 2014 after legionella bacteria, which can cause a severe type of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease, was discovered in the plumbing. Dartmouth Historical Commission member Chris Sewall and other members of the commission have argued the building can still be rehabilitated and would be a worthy cause for the town. (Source)
February 22, 2024
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services believes that the hot tub at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield "may have been" the source of the legionella exposure in two individuals, who became sick, earlier the fall of 2023. This is because both individuals were both exposed to the hot tub. A woman from Massachusetts died from Legionnaires', and a person from Rhode Island was hospitalized, according to state health officials. The Department continues to work with the Mountain View Grand Resort and NHDES to address the findings from this investigation and ensure the health and safety of staff and guests. (Source)
February 2, 2024
The husband of a Massachusetts woman says his wife died of Legionnaires' disease just a week after staying at a New Hampshire resort. New Hampshire health officials announced that they were investigating two cases of Legionnaires' disease linked to the Mountain View Grand Resort. One of the cases was in a Massachusetts resident, who died from the disease, while the second was in a Rhode Island resident. The man’s wife swam in the pool at the resort and also used the resort's hot tub, according to her husband.(Source)
December 7, 2023
In a tentative win for the ongoing efforts to renovate rather than demolish the old police station, the Select Board unanimously voted to look into commissioning a study to find out whether the building could be made safe for residential or office use. The building was first built in 1926 and served as Dartmouth’s Town Hall. It eventually became the town’s police station, and was left unoccupied after Legionella bacteria was found in the pipes in 2014. That year, an officer became sick with what was diagnosed as Legionnaires Disease, which is caused by the bacteria. The building has since been vacant. (Source)
March 29, 2023
Officials warned the public about an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at a campground in New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services identified five people who contracted Legionella pneumonia, also known as Legionnaires’ disease. All five people had stayed at the Meredith Woods and Clearwater Campground in Meredith, N.H. before getting sick. The five cases occurred between early fall 2021 and January 2023 and all five of the people who got sick were hospitalized as a result. Each person recovered, and no deaths have been reported. (Source)
August 25, 2022
Cheshire Medical Center expects test results to determine whether a potentially harmful bacteria, Legionella, was properly eradicated. Legionella has been part of the hospital’s routine testing for years. The bacteria only affected Cheshire Medical’s South Building, which includes departments like supply chain, environmental services and the mailroom, according to Barone. Source
August 5, 2022
Four years after an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease, lawsuits were settled against a Hampton Beach motel. The lawsuits involved 19 people who contracted the illness, including one whose father died. An investigation involving local and state agencies, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began in August 2018. At least 34 people likely were infected from the hot tub or the potable water system at according to a final report. "Once we got some resources in from the outside, we were really able to focus on where the outbreak originated," said Hampton Fire Chief Michael McMahon. (Source)
Reported Settlements and Jury Awards
Given the incidence of legionella in New Hampshire, and its associated harm, personal injury claims and litigation are also becoming more frequent. Reported settlements and jury awards are unavailable at this time.
State Cap on Jury Awards
New Hampshire does not have a cap on the award amounts allowable by law. In addition, public health notices and negative media attention can also lead to business interruption and reputation damage.
Groundwater Temperature Risk Level – Medium
Overall Liability and Risk for New Hampshire – High
No, ASHRAE 188 is not part of the state code
Legionella and Water Management Plan Assistance
Need help? For Legionella consulting and services, Water Management Plans, Legionella Control Systems, and Legionella testing please contact us at Legionella Control Systems at 888-416-8626 or info@legionellacontrolsystems.com
