An Ohio woman who has died after being diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease had been healthy prior to getting it, her family said.
Elaine Stacer, 53, of Brunswick, also suffered a stroke after being diagnosed with it, according to newsnet5.com in Cleveland.
University Hospital said Stacer was very ill when she was brought to their hospital. Stacer was admitted to a different hospital on July 24.
Officials are not yet sure how Stacer contracted the disease, the TV station reported.
A Cuyahoga County health official said they will be working with health officials in Medina County to investigate Stacer's death.
The Northeast Ohio death comes as New York City is dealing with an outbreak of the disease.
Ten people recently died of Legionnaires’ disease in an outbreak in New York City, and 100 cases have been confirmed.
The infectious bacteria is only spread through mist or vapor through things such as air conditioners, showers, hot tubs and fountains, according to the CDC.
If someone comes into contact with Legionnaires’ disease, the CDC said the risk of getting sick is pretty low, with just about 5 percent of people exposed to the bacteria becoming infected.
About 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires’ disease each year.
People 50 and older, smokers and people with lung or kidney disease are at a higher risk for infection.
Those infected can be treated with antibiotics and doctors say most healthy people who get the disease recover.
