NH DHHS Issues Order to Sands Resort in Hampton, NH After Initial Results from CDC Testing Identify Presence of Legionella Bacteria
According to DHHS, nine people who stayed at the Sands Resort since July have contracted Legionnaires’ disease. The CDC found Legionella bacteria in the Sands’ hot tub, water heater, sinks/shower heads in three guest rooms, and outdoor shower hose, according to DHHS.
The state says a total of 14 cases of Legionnaires’s disease were reported in Hampton, one of which was fatal. Two unrelated cases of Legionnaires’ disease were also reported in Nashua.
Concord, NH –The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services has issued an order to the Sands Resort, 32 Ashworth Avenue, Hampton, to take immediate steps to remediate the Legionella bacteria identified at the facility and notify guests of the bacteria’s presence.
DHHS Commissioner Jeffrey A. Meyers issued the order after initial tests conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detected the presence of the Legionella bacteria from multiple sources within the Sands Resort water system, including, but not limited to the hot tub spa.
“Early test results from the CDC indicate the presence of the Legionella bacteria in several environmental samples taken from the facility’s water system. I have issued this order to ensure the health of guests and visitors of the establishment, as well as the health of Hampton residents and visitors,” said Commissioner Meyers. “The Sands Resort will immediately notify current and future guests of the Legionella outbreak and take steps to remediate the premise plumbing system in order to mitigate the risk to the public’s health.”
The premise plumbing system is the portion of the water distribution system from the water meter to the tap in homes and buildings. The CDC may have additional test results for samples taken from the Sands Resort in the next week. Test results are still pending for environmental samples taken from other locations in the affected area.
The order to remediate the water system and notify current or future guests of the Legionella outbreak and test results was issued pursuant to RSA 141-C:11-16, which requires the Commissioner of DHHS to take actions necessary to protect public health. Further actions will depend on additional testing results and the results of the Sands’ mitigation efforts.
The order is attached. For more information on the investigation, please visit www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/legionella.ht
More Legionnaires’ Disease in Hampton, One Death of 14 Total Cases