Disneyland Cooling Towers Shut Down After They Gave Off Mist 'Containing Legionnaires Bacteria'

One victim who died was among three living in California city where the theme park is based, while nine others had visited the attraction


A high level of the bacteria that can cause fatal lung infections was found in the two water cooling towers

Disneyland shut down two water cooling towers that gave off a mist potentially carrying the bacteria causing Legionnaires disease, after a victim died and 11 others were struck by the killer disease found in the theme park, officials said.

Nine had visited the attraction in Anaheim, in California, while the man who died and two others lived in the city where the amusement centre is based but had not been to the landmark site.

Ten of the victims – who were aged from 52 to 94 - were taken to hospital after being hit with the bacterial lung infection. One of those infected was a Disney worker.

The patient who died had succumbed to “additional health issues”, doctors said.

Eighteen water cooling towers in total stand in an area that is 100 feet from guests, Disney officials said. The units, which give off a mist, treat water used in appliances such as fridges.

Officials with Orange County Health Care Agency contacted bosses of the theme park after they detected the 12 cases of Legionnaires’ disease among both visitors and residents in Anaheim.

Disney took action and shut down the two water cooling towers after officials detected high levels of the bacteria from the virus.

Jessica Good, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Health Care Agency, told CNN: "To date, no additional Legionella cases have been identified with potential exposure in Anaheim after September.”

She added: "There is no known ongoing risk associated with this outbreak."

Health officials have ordered that the two water cooling towers remain shut until is proven they are free from contamination of Legionella bacteria.

Pamela Hymel, Chief Medical Officer for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, said that Disney was told by local officials over the outbreak just over two weeks ago.

“These towers were treated with chemicals that destroy the bacteria and are currently shut down,” Ms Hymel said in an email, according to a report by Voice of Orange County. “We have proactively shared this information with OCHCA (Orange County Health Care Agency) and given our actions. They have indicated there is no longer any known risk associated with our facilities.”

There have been 55 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Orange County this year, a number that is increasing annually, according to a health care agency.

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