HICKORY — Catawba County Public Health is raising awareness of Legionnaires’ disease as cases have increased across the globe and locally in recent years, the county said June 23, 2026.
North Carolina reported 310 cases in 2025 compared with 201 cases in 2024. Catawba County had six reported cases in 2025 compared with three in 2024. Most cases tend to be reported in warmer months, the county said, and so far 2026 is no exception.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. The bacteria live in both natural and man-made wet environments, including bodies of water, moist soil, and water systems such as hot tubs, decorative fountains, air-conditioning cooling towers, hot water tanks, and poorly maintained misting devices. People can inhale mist or vapor contaminated with Legionella. It is not spread person to person, and most healthy people who are exposed do not get sick, Public Health said.
People at higher risk of illness include those who are age 50 and older, current or former smokers, people with compromised immune systems, and people with certain health conditions such as chronic lung disease, kidney failure, and diabetes.
The most important way to prevent Legionnaires’ disease, the county said, is to prevent growth of Legionella in facility and home water systems.
Home prevention listed in the notice includes:
- Flush faucets or showerheads if they have not been used for three or more days, or if the home water system was turned off for plumbing work.
- Ensure proper maintenance and disinfection of hot tubs and fountains. Legionella can spread in hot tubs and fountains due to warm water temperatures and aerosolization from water jets.
- Use water following the manufacturer’s recommendations for in-home medical equipment such as humidifiers and CPAP or BIPAP machines, and clean equipment parts and accessories regularly.
- Follow manufacturer instructions for cleaning and replacing all water filters, including point-of-use filters (tap or refrigerator water/ice maker).
- Drain garden hoses to avoid stagnant water. People at particularly high risk should talk to their doctor about whether wearing a mask while doing gardening work would be beneficial.
- Use proper windshield wiper fluid, because Legionella can grow in the wiper-fluid tank if tap water is added.
The county pointed residents to the NCDHHS Legionellosis webpage or their local health department for more information. The June 23 notice does not identify a specific local outbreak site.
Official release from Catawba County Government, June 23, 2026. https://www.catawbacountync.gov/news/increase-in-legionnaires-disease-seen-globally-and-locally/
