MARSHALL COUNTY, Iowa — Another person has died in the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Marshall County.

Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Monday that the patient, identified as an elderly adult with underlying health conditions, died on Thursday. This is the second death associated with the Marshall County outbreak. To date, there have been 71 cases of the disease.

According to HHS, the likely source of the outbreak is believed to be cooling towers, however lab testing hasn’t confirmed the direct source. HHS says every business with a cooling tower in the affected areas has completed disinfection.

“We are encouraged to see fewer new cases reported recently,” Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director, said. “Our teams remain engaged with building owners on disinfection and it will take additional time to know if this decline reflects successful remediation.”

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm water and typically spreads through the inhalation of aerosolized water like mist.

Anyone who experiences the following symptoms and has spent time recently in Marshall County is encouraged to visit their primary care doctor.

• Headache
• Fever up to 105
• Chills
• Non-productive cough
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea

For more information, visit the Iowa HHS website.