The Jackson County Department of Public Health and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Public Health and Human Services are investigating three cases of Legionnaires disease in people who visited Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort during May through November 2018. The property’s management is assisting in the investigation, treating its water system and taking steps to provide information to past and current guests. The North Carolina Division of Public Health is also assisting in the investigation as needed. 

Legionnaires disease is a type of pneumonia caused by inhaling aerosol droplets of water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Sources of the contaminated water droplets can include showers, hot tubs, faucets, cooling towels, misters, and decorative fountains. Most people exposed to Legionella bacteria will not get sick. Legionnaires is treatable with antibiotics, but it can cause severe illness and sometimes results in death.

The disease is not spread from person to person. Symptoms are very similar to other types of pneumonia and can include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches. Symptoms usually begin within two to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria. People who develop symptoms and have visited the property or surrounding area should seek medication attention from their primary care provider. 

People who are at an increased risk of getting sick include people 50 and older, current or former smokers, people with chronic lung disease, people with a weakened immune system, people taking drugs that can weaken their immune system and people with diabetes, kidney failure or liver failure. 

According to a press release, it can not be confirmed whether any of the cases were exposed to Legionella while visiting Harrah’s. Legionella is naturally occurring in the environment and has up to a 14-day incubation period, making it difficult to pinpoint exact location of exposure.