Two dead in Iowa legionnaires’ disease outbreak

USA: A second fatality has been reported in the legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Marshalltown, Iowa.

The individual, described as an elderly adult with multiple underlying health conditions, died last Thursday (September 18). To date, there have been 71 cases of legionellosis in the community since the outbreak was first reported on September 4.

The health department insists that all available evidence continues to indicate cooling towers are the most likely source of the outbreak, although laboratory testing has not confirmed a direct source. 

Each business centre with a cooling tower in the affected area is said to have completed disinfection.