CASSVILLE, Mo. – State health officials are warning recent guests of a southwest Missouri resort of a possible health concern after confirming three different guests contracted Legionnaires’ disease following their stay.

Investigators with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) traveled to the Roaring River Lodge and RV Park in Cassville after learning of three cases involving recent guests. The individuals had stayed at the resort in July and were each diagnosed within 14 days of their visit.

DHSS collected samples and preliminary analysis revealed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the resort water system. Confirmed results should be available later in the week.

Roaring River Lodge is notifying all recent guests who stayed in its hotel. DHSS is working with the resort to improve its water system in order to kill off any bacteria in the system.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people typically cannot spread Legionnaires’ disease to one another, although it does occur on rare occasions.

The most common way to contract Legionnaires is through inhaling water droplets containing the Legionella bacterium. You can develop flu-like or pneumonia symptoms, which usually appear within two to 10 days of exposure. Such symptoms include confusion, cough, diarrhea, fever, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, or shortness of breath.

If you suspect you’ve contracted Legionnaires, ask your doctor to check both a urine sample and a respiratory culture.

Legionella grows and spreads in building water systems such as:

• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air-cooling systems for building or industrial processes)
• Hot tubs that aren’t drained after each use
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Large plumbing systems

Those most at risk are people who are 50 years of age or older, smoke cigarettes, or have certain medical conditions, such as a weakened immune system. Typically, most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick.

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