17 cases of Legionnaires' disease now tied to Hopkins outbreak

HOPKINS, Minn. (KMSP) - The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed three additional cases of Legionnaires’ disease associated with Hopkins, Minn., bringing the total number of cases in the outbreak to 17.

All cases involve people who lived, worked or were exposed to the Hopkins area. Their ages range from 20s to 90s. The victims in the three new cases are all over 50 years old and all three are currently hospitalized.

Of the three new cases, the most recent onset of the illness was Sept. 14. According to officials, this means all three people were likely exposed prior to Sept. 9, when the outbreak was identified and intervention methods began in the area.

One person has died in the outbreak so far.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Legionnaires’ disease is an infection caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila, which is found in water. The disease is not spread person-to-person, but by inhaling fine spray or aerosols from water that contains the bacteria.

For more information about Legionnaires’ disease, click here.