In a recent development, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has identified a hot tub at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, N.H. as the probable source of two cases of Legionnaires' disease. Tragically, one person has died while another was hospitalized after being diagnosed with the disease in the fall of 2023.

According to the health department, both individuals were out-of-state visitors who had used the hot tub at the resort last month. The person who was hospitalized has since been released. The deceased victim has been identified as a 71-year-old Massachusetts resident named Barbara Kruschwitz from Merrimac.

Following an investigation, the health department confirmed the presence of Legionella bacteria in the resort hot tub. As a precautionary measure, the hot tub has been closed. However, no other cases have been reported thus far, and Legionella bacteria was not found in the resort's water system.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by inhaling mist or water droplets contaminated with the Legionella bacteria. The disease can lead to severe pneumonia, with a fatality rate of approximately one in 10 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prior to the identification of the hot tub as the source of the bacteria, the resort had been working closely with the health department to ensure the safety of its guests and employees, affirming their commitment to follow stringent protocols.

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is now urging anyone who visited the Mountain View Grand Resort and experienced respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, or fever to seek medical attention. They are also conducting further investigations to determine the exact cause and any potential spread of the disease.

As the investigation continues, it is crucial for individuals to practice caution and follow public health guidelines to minimize the risk of Legionnaires' disease and other respiratory illnesses.