Disneyland shuts cooling towers after fatal Legionnaires’ disease outbreak
DISNEYLAND has shut down two cooling towers after visitors to the Southern California theme park came down with Legionnaires’ disease.
A dozen cases of the bacterial lung infection were discovered about three weeks ago, the Orange County Health Care Agency said.
The sufferers, aged from 52 to 94, lived or had spent time in Anaheim, site of the attraction, and nine had visited Disneyland in September.
One victim, who had not visited the park, has died.
There have been no new cases linked to Anaheim since September, the agency said. “There is no known ongoing risk associated with this outbreak,” it added.
Legionnaires’ disease can be spread through inhaling droplets of contaminated water.
While many people have no symptoms, it can cause serious pneumonia and prove dangerous to those with lung or immune system problems.
The disease can be treated with antibiotics.
Disneyland was informed of the Anaheim cases on October 27 and after testing found two cooling towers showed
elevated levels of Legionella bacteria.
The towers were taken out of service on November 1, disinfected, put back in operation on November 5 only to be shut down again last Tuesday. They will remain offline until tests confirm they are free from contamination, according to the park and the agency.