TYLER, Texas — Seven confirmed cases and five possible cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been identified in the Northeast Texas region.
"You might have a case here and there, but they've had a number of cases come in at one time, which makes it concerning like what's causing this to occur," George Roberts, NET Health CEO said. "Typically, it's two cases of legionnaires disease around the same time, we consider that and say, that's troubling."
The investigation of these cases is ongoing, as the NET Health Disease Surveillance Division is working with organizers of the East Texas State Fair and local health officials to investigate any connections of these cases with attendance at the 2019 East Texas State Fair (September 20 - September 29).
"We've had to go all over the fairgrounds and all the buildings around there," Roberts said. "Our team is working hard to try to identify what the source of this might have been."
Anyone who attended the East Texas State Fair in Tyler during September 2019 and is sick due to symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease is urged to discuss the disease with their health care provider immediately.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria that can become spread through inhaled water droplets spread through the air. While Legionnaires’ disease is not typically spread person to person, state health officials, event organizers, and Local Health Departments are investigating reports and working to identify a source.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease may include:
- Cough
- High fever
- Weakness
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
Legionnaires’ disease is treated with antibiotics and most people who get sick with this disease may need to be hospitalized, but will fully recover.
"If you had pneumonia-type symptoms after the fair, say within two to ten days after you attended the fair, go see your primary care provider and talk to them," Roberts explained.
According to data from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, in 2016, which is the last publicly reported year, the state saw a total of 270 cases of the disease. Of those, eight were diagnosed in Smith County.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show about one out of 10 people with Legionnaires’ disease will die from the infection. Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not become sick, but certain populations are at an increased risk for contracting the disease.
These include:
- Anyone over the age of 50
- Current or former smokers (cigarettes & e-cigs)
- Persons with chronic lung disease like emphysema or COPD
- Persons with weakened immune systems due to a previous disease or from medication
“If you did not go to the fair and you do not have symptoms, you should not have cause for concern," said Roberts.
John Sykes with the East Texas State Fair told CBS19 they are fully cooperating with NET Health and will refrain from naming possible sources until the investigation is complete.
If you live in the Northeast Texas region and have questions about Legionnaires’ disease, please call the Disease Surveillance Division at NET Health at (903) 595-1350.