Three Kanawha County residents have contracted Legionnaires' disease within the past two weeks, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department chief Dr. Kerry Gateley said Tuesday.

One patient died, and two others were in intensive care units in local hospitals, Gateley said. Tests confirmed that the patients contracted the Legionella bacteria, the health director said. 

Health department officials have started an investigation.

"What catches our notice is three cases over a three-week period," Gateley said. "We're talking to [patients'] family and friends to see if they have any exposures in common. There are a lot of questions that have to be asked."

Two of the residents live in eastern Kanawha County, the other in South Charleston.

The bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease grows in steam emitted by hot tubs, cooling towers, showerheads and large air-conditioning units, Gateley said.

Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, severe headaches and cough.

Read more in Wednesday's Gazette.

Three Kanawha County residents have contracted Legionnaires' disease within the past two weeks, Kanawha-Charleston Health Department chief Dr. Kerry Gateley said Tuesday.

One patient died, and two others were in intensive care units in local hospitals, Gateley said. Tests confirmed that the patients contracted the Legionella bacteria, the health director said. 

Health department officials have started an investigation.

"What catches our notice is three cases over a three-week period," Gateley said. "We're talking to [patients'] family and friends to see if they have any exposures in common. There are a lot of questions that have to be asked."

Two of the residents live in eastern Kanawha County, the other in South Charleston.

The bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease grows in steam emitted by hot tubs, cooling towers, showerheads and large air-conditioning units, Gateley said.

Symptoms include high fever, muscle aches, severe headaches and cough.

Read more in Wednesday's Gazette.