“Devastating Outbreak” of Legionnaires May Be Linked to N.C. State Fair

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting a “devastating outbreak” of Legionnaires disease, according to WYFF. Officials believe that victims came in contact with the Legionella bacteria while visiting the Davis Event Center in Asheville, NC, for the annual North Carolina State Fair.

At this time, there are 131 confirmed cases of Legionnaires and Pontiac Fever. Health officials believe “A hot tub display at the fair is now eyed as a potential culprit of contamination. WYFF News 4 confirmed with a state epidemiologist that they are investigating vendors who were inside the Davis Event Center during the fair.”

We invite you to watch the video on the story here.

Legionnaires, like mycobacterial infections, spreads through water. Its symptoms can mimic pneumonia: coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, aches and pains. Those symptoms usually show up within a few days of being exposed, but sometimes it takes up to two weeks for symptoms to present in a patient.

Pontiac fever, a milder form of Legionnaires, can start presenting with symptoms within hours or days of a person’s exposure.

McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC can help if you became ill in an outbreak

McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC has experience handling complex claims involving outbreaks of deadly infections. Legionnaires can be fatal if left untreated, and in patients who are immunocompromised.

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If you visited the Davis Event Center in Asheville and were exposed to Legionella bacteria, you are at risk of developing Legionnaires disease. If you have not yet sought medical treatment, you should do so immediately. If you were misdiagnosed and your condition worsened, or if your loved one has died as a result of a delay in diagnosis or treatment, you could be entitled to damages.

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC, our attorneys have the experience to secure rightful compensation for those who have been harmed by others’ negligence or misconduct. If you have been injured or became ill after exposure to Legionnaires, call 828-373-8983 or fill out our contact form. Our NC attorneys are ready to assist you.