MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa [KCCI-TV} — Iowa public health officials now say there have been 30 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Marshall County since August. The Iowa Department of Public Health first confirmed the cluster of Legionnaires’ disease last week. A retired Catholic priest, the Rev. Bernard “Bernie” Grady, is the only reported fatality of this outbreak as of Monday, Sept. 8th.Health officials have not yet identified the cause of the outbreak and are continuing to investigate, urging residents to remain vigilant about maintaining clean water systems in their homes and businesses. They advise anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention immediately. Officials with Marshalltown Water Works told KCCI on Friday that the town’s treated drinking water is not the source of the Legionella bacteria.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia that is caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrives in warm water and typically spreads through contaminated mist. It is not spread person to person. Untreated, Legionnaires’ disease can be deadly, and symptoms include shortness of breath, headaches, chest pain and more. An outbreak this summer in New York led to seven deaths and 114 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease.