North Carolina Health Departments’ Investigate Legionnaires’ Outbreak at Fair

Health departments in two North Carolina counties are looking into multiple cases of Legionnaires’ disease at the North Carolina Mountain State Fair.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said in a news release on Tuesday that it’s working with the Buncombe and Henderson County health departments to track down additional information.

Legionella bacteria can become a health concern when they grow and spread in human-made water systems like hot water tanks, air conditioning systems and other sources that are not properly maintained.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said it’s not yet known if people attending the fair might have been exposed to Legionella bacteria. Moore says people who attended the fair and are experiencing cough, fever or shortness of breath should call their health care provider right away.