Seven cases of Legionnaires' Disease, including one fatality, in Rapid City, S.D., has been confirmed by state health officials.
However, health officials have not been able to find a source for the infection or a link among the cases, reported the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal Friday.
Since late May, health officials have been investigating cases of Legionnaires' Disease in the Rapid City area.
Legionellosis is a bacterium-based disease that can cause pneumonia. The common organism can be found in creeks, ponds, hot and cold water taps, hot-water tanks, water from air-conditioning systems and soil from excavation sites, according to Doneen Hollingsworth, secretary of the Department of Health.
"The disease is spread through the air from these soil and water sites, not person to person," Hollingsworth said.
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