Massachusetts Woman Dies, Rhode Island Woman Hospitalized After Stays at Mountain View Grand Resort
A woman from Massachusetts has died and a woman from Rhode Island remains hospitalized after they were both diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease following stays at the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa in Whitefield, New Hampshire last month.
Resort Water System Being Tested as Potential Source
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is investigating a potential link between the two Legionnaires’ cases and the resort’s water system. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by aspiration or inhalation of water or soil contaminated with the Legionella bacteria.
The Mountain View Grand Resort has voluntarily shut down access to its water system while testing is conducted. The resort’s hot tubs, pools, and other water sources are all being evaluated. Initial test results are expected by the end of this week.
Legionnaires’ Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Risk Factors
| Cause | Most commonly caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Found naturally in freshwater environments. Can multiply in human-made water systems.
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| Symptoms | Fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, confusion. Can lead to respiratory failure and death if not treated promptly with antibiotics.
| Who’s at risk | Older adults, current or former smokers, people with chronic lung disease or weakened immune systems.
Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick, but it can be very dangerous in vulnerable populations.
Husband of Deceased Woman Seeking Answers
The husband of the Massachusetts woman who died from Legionnaires’ at age 75 told reporters she first developed symptoms approximately one week after the couple stayed at the Mountain View Grand Resort in mid-December. He said his wife was hospitalized shortly after their return home and passed away from complications of Legionnaires’ disease on December 28th.
“I’m very angry about what happened. My wife was healthy and enjoying life before this trip. Then she suddenly got deathly ill with an infection she caught from the resort’s water. I want answers about what went wrong so this doesn’t happen to others,” the grieving husband stated.
Rhode Island Woman Also Diagnosed After December Visit
The woman from Rhode Island who remains hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease is reported to be in her 60s. State health officials say she stayed at the Mountain View Grand Resort in December as well. Her current condition has not been released.
Epidemiologists are working quickly to determine if there is a definitive link between the two cases and if other guests from the resort may have been exposed or sickened. Since the incubation period for Legionnaires’ disease can be 2 to 10 days, some people may not yet be symptomatic.
Resort Says Guest Safety a Top Priority
In a statement, Mountain View Grand Resort sought to reassure current and future guests that safety is their foremost concern:
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the recent illness and passing of a guest who may have contracted Legionnaires’ disease after visiting our resort last month. Our hearts go out to the family members during this difficult time. While the source of the exposure has not yet been confirmed, we have taken proactive steps to temporarily shut down access to our resort’s water supply out of an abundance of caution as testing is conducted. We have also brought in water treatment experts to conduct a thorough review. We want to stress that ensuring all guests have a safe, enjoyable, and healthy experience is our top priority.”
The resort remains open and operational, despite the water restrictions currently in place. Bottled water is being provided for drinking and cooking. The pools, hot tubs, and spa are temporarily closed.
Next Steps in Investigation
The DHHS says a full investigation report should be complete within a few weeks. Depending on the final conclusions, the department may issue recommendations to other hospitality businesses, hospitals, nursing homes or large buildings about testing and protecting water systems against Legionella contamination. Hotels and resorts with spas, pools, hot tubs, decorative fountains and large plumbing networks can provide favorable conditions for bacterial amplification if water chemistry and temperatures are not properly maintained.
While Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks have declined in recent years thanks to greater awareness and preventative action, isolated incidents still occur. Public health experts will be closely monitoring the fallout from this situation as well as the Mountain View Grand’s response. For now, guests planning to visit the resort in coming weeks should continue checking the company website and local health advisories for updates.
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