On Monday, the Shelby County (Tenn.) Health Department identified another case of Legionnaires' in an outbreak linked to a Memphis hotel. The addition brings the total number of cases in the outbreak to seven, according to The Commercial Appeal.
On Sept. 22, county health officials shut down a La Quinta Inn in Memphis after five hotel guests contracted Legionnaires' disease. A sixth infection was identified last week. The hotel remains closed.
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. It can be contracted by inhaling mist from infected water sources such as air-conditioning facilities, steam rooms and plumbing systems. It is not spread by person-to-person contact or by drinking water.
To learn more about Legionnaires' disease, click here.
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