HAMPTON, N.H. (AP) - Public health authorities in New Hampshire say 12 people have been identified with Legionnaire's disease and at least one person has died.
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health Services said the 12 likely acquired Legionella at the end of July or beginning of August in a localized area of Hampton. Health officials said they were still trying to identify the source of the infection and had closed several hot tub spas in the area as a precaution.
Legionnaire's disease is a bacterial pneumonia spread by inhaling droplets of water contaminated with the bacteria.
New Hampshire averages about 32 cases of Legionnaires' disease each year. Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were 6,100 cases in 2016.
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