All of the incidents occurred within two miles of Murray Boulevard and Scholls Ferry Road. According to Washington County Public Health officials, there are at least six cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Murrayhill neighborhood of Beaverton. The incidents occurred within two miles of Murray Boulevard and Scholls Ferry Road and were reported within the last week. Those infected with the disease are in their late forties to early eighties. According to health officials, four of them are hospitalized.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a waterborne bacteria that infects people’s lungs. The county has not determined the exact source of this outbreak, but the bacteria is common in Oregon and is frequently found in warm, wet areas such as hot tubs, water tanks, large air conditioning, plumbing systems, and other bodies of water, according to health officials.
“Legionnaires’ disease can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, tiredness, muscle aches, and headaches, which can quickly progress to coughing and shortness of breath. Symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, and confusion are also possible “Dr. Christina Baumann, Washington County health officer, stated “If you live in or visit the affected area and experience these symptoms, please contact your health provider as soon as possible so that they can determine if you have Legionnaire’s and treat you.”While the Legionella bacteria is prevalent in the state, outbreaks are uncommon.
“This situation is unique because we’re seeing a cluster of cases coming up in a fairly short period of time and also residing in a smaller area,” Baumann explained. So far this year, Washington County officials have reported 14 Legionnaires’ disease cases.
The county is on track to break the previous year’s record of 14 cases. While Legionnaire’s disease symptoms are similar to COVID-19, public health officials remind citizens that it is typically transmitted through a water source rather than from person to person.”Around 10,000 cases of legionella are reported to the CDC each year, the majority of which are from waterborne sources,” Baumann said. “And, as previously stated, some of the common sources are from man-made systems.”The disease was named after an outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976. Even after inhaling the bacteria, most people with a healthy immune system will not develop the disease.
Smokers and older adults, on the other hand, are more likely to become seriously ill. Antibiotics can be used to treat the disease, and while most people who get it recover completely, many still need to be hospitalised, and there is a small chance of death. According to county health officials, one in every ten people dies from the disease.While the investigation is still in its early stages, and there is no information on a possible source of the outbreak, health officials are urging citizens to be aware of any potential symptoms and seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop them.You rely on us to keep you informed, and we rely on you to fund our efforts. It takes time and money to produce high-quality local journalism. Please help us to safeguard the future of community journalism.
_________
Disease | Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @njtimesofficial. To get the latest updates
