During a recent meeting, Marshall County Public Health Director Sydney Grewell updated the Board of Supervisors on the ongoing Legionnaires’ disease situation. Thankfully, there haven’t been any new cases in almost two weeks. The total remains at 74, with two fatalities.
Grewell explained that the last case was reported on September 25. When someone tests positive for Legionella, health officials are alerted automatically. Anyone who lives in a neighboring area gets contacted by their local health department for additional follow-up. This ensures that tracking the disease is efficient.
One key point raised by Grewell was the theory that a cooling tower in Marshalltown could be the source of the outbreak. Public health officials have identified and tested 12 cooling towers in the area. Even though they’ve found Legionella in one tower, it didn’t match the bacteria from the infected patients. This means the source is still uncertain, but hope remains that their investigation will continue to yield leads.
Each of the businesses with cooling towers began disinfection efforts in mid-September. Two have already finished the full disinfection process. Grewell noted that the lack of new cases during this time suggests that these measures are effective.
Supervisor Kevin Goodman inquired whether annual disinfections would be necessary. Grewell indicated that improved water management plans are crucial. Unlike New York, Iowa lacks a formal registry for cooling towers, placing the responsibility largely on business owners for maintaining safety standards.
In terms of testing, Grewell reassured the board that positive cases are being accurately reported as required by law. The system ensures that all tests are tracked back to local health departments, preventing any oversight. There are about 30 to 70 Legionella cases annually in Iowa, but not every case contributes to the ongoing outbreak count.
In other news during the meeting: the board recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, honored employees for their years of service, and approved permits for various community activities. They also addressed local residents’ concerns, including road maintenance and noise complaints.
Recent data from the CDC shows that Legionnaires’ disease cases in the U.S. surged by 37% from 2018 to 2019, pointing to a growing public health concern tied to environmental factors like aging infrastructure. Addressing and regulating cooling towers more effectively could play a vital role in preventing future outbreaks.
In summary, while there is cautious optimism regarding the outbreak’s status, ongoing diligence in public health practices remains essential. Engaging local communities and businesses in prevention efforts can help mitigate risks and ensure safer environments for everyone.
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Todays News,Public health director: Still no ‘smoking gun’ on Legionella outbreak
