hnews_0720_Legionnaires_Disease_COVER
Shoppers walk past a puddle caused by rain on Friday, July 20, 2018 in Crystal Lake. The McHenry County Department of Health issued a report stating that six people have contracted Legionnaires' Disease in June within a 1.5 mile radius of the intersection of Walkup Road and Rt. 176. The area listed includes popular spaces such as Veterans Acres Park, the Brink Street Market, downtown Crystal Lake, Senior Services, and much more. McHenry County Department of Health says that the disease can cause pneumonia-like symptoms and is most frequently found in people age 50 and over, former and current smokers, those with chronic disease, and people with weakened immune systems. The disease can be contracted by breathing in a mist or small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria, which is found naturally in freshwater. The bacteria can become a public health concern if found in water systems such as showers, hot tubs, fountains, and more but are seldomly transmitted from human contact.