ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has identified areas of the municipal water system as the source of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Grand Rapids.
Since April 2023, there have been 14 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the area. Investigations linked the bacteria to the municipal water supply from two community buildings, which were related to the bacteria found in patient respiratory samples.
Grand Rapids Public Utilities manager Julie Kennedy said their immediate focus is on developing a plan to flush and disinfect the water system and installing a water chlorination system.
In 2023, Minnesota recorded 134 cases of Legionnaires’ disease, resulting in six deaths.
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