Nine people contracted Legionnaires’ disease after they visited Disneyland in Anaheim in September, officials said.
Nine people contracted Legionnaires’ disease after they visited Disneyland in Anaheim in September, officials said.
The disease was detected in three more people who had not visited the theme park, but who either lived in or had travelled to Anaheim.
The 12 cases of Legionnaires’ were discovered about three weeks ago, in patients whose ages ranged from 52 to 94, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Ten of the twelve were hospitalized and one person “with additional health issues” died, according to health officials. That person had not visited Disneyland.
Authorities said that visitors are no longer at risk of contracting the disease — a severe lung infection caused by exposure to contaminated water or mist.
“There is no known ongoing risk associated with this outbreak,” the agency said in a statement.
Disneyland shut down two bacteria-contaminated cooling towers after the cases of the disease were reported.
The towers are near the New Orleans Square Train Station, more than 100 feet away from parts of the theme park accessible to guests, a Disneyland Resort spokeswoman said Friday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
A Disneyland employee is among those who contracted the disease, according to the report.
“On Oct. 27, we learned from the Orange County Health Care Agency of increased Legionnaires’ disease cases in Anaheim. We conducted a review and learned that two cooling towers had elevated levels of Legionella bacteria,” Dr. Pamela Hymel, chief medical officers for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said in a statement Friday. “These towers were treated with chemicals that destroy the bacteria and are currently shut down.”
