Hopewell Township residents may have seen news reports indicating that Legionella bacteria has been found in the Trenton Water Works system. No cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been identified among Hopewell Township residents. The Hopewell Township Health Department, in addition to the NJ Departments of Health and Environmental Protection, is keeping close watch on the TWW water supplied to areas of the Township. Seven cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been reported within the TWW service area, none of which were in Hopewell Township.
Legionnaires’ disease is a rare type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella bacteria. You cannot get Legionnaires’ disease by drinking water; it is caused by aspirating water or breathing in water vapor. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are similar to those of COVID-19 and other respiratory ailments, such as cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches.
More information and safety recommendations can be found on the NJ Department of Health website at https://www.nj.gov/health/news/2023/approved/20230327b.shtml.
