Three people with legionellosis were all transferred to the same center

WISCONSIN DELLS, Wis. (WMTV) – According to the Sauk County Health Department, three people diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease, including one deceased, all went to the same complex.

Tara Hayes, director of the Sauk County Health Department, said she could not determine exactly where the three people had contracted the disease.

"When there is a notifiable disease, you do questionnaires with the individuals," said Hayes. "You are trying to find a history of potential potential exposures, and after conducting the investigation, we would have determined what the potential exposures of the patients were, and then examined those sites."

Hayes stated that because of this, they had learned that the three people had been at Christmas Mountain Village, Wisconsin Dells, since the end of 2017. Hayes said the three cases occurred in late 2017 and in October 2018 The water of the complex had been tested.

"We had received a report that some people had contracted Legionnaires' disease, which prompted us to investigate Christmas Mountain," Hayes said. "During this survey of water sampling, some units were tested positive for Legionella bacteria."

Bluegreen Management is the property management company. In a statement from a spokesperson for Bluegreen Communications, the company said: "We understood (through the Ministry of Health) that there had been several cases reported in the In this case, only three cases reported to the Department of Health come from guests who have stayed at the property in the last 24 months.There is no conclusive evidence that they contracted Legionella bacteria. during their stay at the property. "

Hayes said that they were unable to say exactly where the individuals had contracted the disease.

"What I can say is that three people have been diagnosed with legionellosis and that the complex has been tested positive for Legionella in their water supply system," she said.

Hayes said the complex was cooperating fully with the Sauk County Health Department. They ask the resort to inform guests, when booking, that they are aware of the risks, as well as the risks and symptoms of the illness during check-in. Hayes also said the service required the complex to use filters to reduce exposure.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Bluegreen said: "After testing, we found that the water supply of some units had been affected and subsequently tested positive for the bacteria." The security of our guest is our main concern We are working closely with the Sauk County Health Department has put in place a recommended risk reduction measure in addition to the ongoing water management and remediation. rooms have been equipped with point-of-use filters to effectively eliminate 99% risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria. "

Legionnaires' disease comes from the Legionella bacteria, Hayes said.

"It's a disease that's contracted by contracting the Legionella bacteria.The Legionella is a bacterium that's found naturally in freshwater and wet environments such as lakes and rivers." said Hayes. "Legionella can also be found in some artificial water systems."