Public Health Saves Lives
Reportable Disease
Legionnaires' DiseaseWhat it is
- Legionnaires’ disease is a type of serious pneumonia caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella
Symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms usually develop 2 to 14 days after exposure to Legionella bacteria, but it can take longer. The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to other types of pneumonia.
Symptoms include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Shortness of breath
Other symptoms, such as confusion, diarrhea, or nausea can also occur.
Risk Factors
Most healthy people exposed to Legionella don’t get sick. However, certain factors put people at increased risk for developing Legionnaires’ disease.
Causes
A type of bacteria called Legionella causes Legionnaires’ disease. People can get Legionnaires’ disease when they breathe in mist that contains the bacteria.
Treatment and recovery
Legionnaires’ disease requires treatment with certain antibiotics. Most cases of this illness can be treated successfully. Identifying and treating the illness early can increase the chances of getting better.
Contract Tracing
Many different groups from the Kentucky Department for Public Health may reach out to you for different reasons.
Some sections in Public Health track reportable conditions for early outbreak detection, protecting individuals and the community, monitoring trends, and resource allocation.
Answering a call from Public Health is important for timely reporting, preventing outbreaks, protecting vulnerable populations, keeping schools and workplaces safe, and strengthening communities
KDPH Reportable Condition Text Messaging
502-237-7679
General resources
Fact sheet: Legionnaires’ disease
Infographic: How Legionella affects building water systems and people
Situational Update
July 29, 2026
Franklin County Health Department – Press Release
Increase in Legionnaires’ Disease
Frankfort, KY – The Franklin County Health Department (FCHD) is currently investigating several cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Franklin County. Although the number of cases remains low FCHD’s Environmental and Epidemiology teams are working closely with the Kentucky Department for Public Health and community partners to determine whether there are any common exposures or sources. At this point no source has been identified.
The risk of Legionnaires’ disease to the public is low. Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious and is not known to spread from person to person. This illness is caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria. Most people who are exposed to Legionella bacteria do not get sick. Those who develop Legionnaires’ disease usually recover after taking antibiotics as prescribed.
Legionella bacteria occur naturally in water and can be found in both natural water sources, such as streams and groundwater, and man-made water systems. Any system or device containing nonsterile water has the potential to support Legionella growth. The bacteria thrive in large, complex water systems, particularly those with extensive plumbing networks, water heaters, storage tanks, stagnant water or inconsistent maintenance. These conditions are more commonly found in large buildings with complex plumbing systems.
People can develop Legionnaires’ disease, a serious form of pneumonia, or Pontiac Fever, a milder respiratory illness, after breathing in small water droplets (mist) containing Legionella bacteria.
Common sources of exposure may include:
• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Hot tubs
• Decorative fountains and water feature
• Large, complex plumbing systems
• Buildings under construction
• Cooling towers
• Water main breaks
• Windshield wiper fluid reservoirs in vehicles
• Recent (within the last two weeks) overnight stays at hotels, resorts, cruise ships or hospitals
People at increased risk for Legionnaires’ disease include:
• Adults age 50 and older
• Current and former smokers
• People with chronic lung disease (e.g., COPD emphysema)
• People with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or cancer
treatment
• People with certain underlying medical conditions, including kidney or liver disease
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Pneumonia, which often requires hospitalization
• Less commonly, diarrhea, nausea or confusion
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation and
possible testing. People without symptoms do not need to be tested.
Steps you can take to reduce your risk:
• Regularly clean and disinfect household devices that produce water mist, such as showerheads, misters, humidifiers and hot tubs.
• Flush faucets and showerheads that have not been used for a week or longer, or after noticing a significant drop in water pressure, before using them again.
• Set your water heaters to 140˚ F and regularly flush them according to manufacturer’s recommendations. To reduce the risk of scalding, take precautions to mix cold and hot water.
• Clean and maintain devices that use water, including CPAP equipment, tubing, neti pots and nasal rinse devices, according to manufacturer’s instructions.
July 30,2026
Farmdale Water District (released statement on their website: https://farmdalewaterdistrict.nexbillpayonline.com/notices-alerts/)
Frankfort Plant Board (released statement on their website: https://fpb.cc/news-and-updates/pressrelease-july302026-legionella?fbclid=IwY2xjawTfJdVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeImOc7F7gJa6eeZ_4E5j7foRcoh2NKYbX7rRwR0VknV0esEBej96z34SZoxc_aem_B-xdKnapUz3A00nAY6sDeQ
No indication that FPB’s water system is source of local legionella cases
FPB is aware of the reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Franklin County and is coordinating with the Franklin County Health Department as it investigates these cases. At this time, there is no indication that FPB’s public water system has been identified as the source of these cases.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella, a naturally occurring bacteria that can be found in both natural water sources such as streams and groundwater, and man made water systems where water becomes warm and stagnant, such as showerheads, hot tubs, cooling towers, and large or complex building plumbing systems that are not properly maintained. People can become ill by breathing in tiny water droplets (mist or vapor) containing the bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is generally not spread by drinking water.
FPB is committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water and will continue to work closely with the Franklin County Health Department while monitoring our water system. We will share additional information as it becomes available.
For more information about Legionnaires’ disease, please visit the Franklin County Health Department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/index.html
Page Modified August 4, 2026
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