STONEWALL, Texas — The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park on Thursday said it received results of its environmental water tests that showed positive for the presence of Legionella, a bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease.
According to the National Parks Service, three locations at the park tested positive: the pool house, the Klein shop and the hangar visitor center. As of Thursday, there were no confirmed cases of the illness associated with the park.
Park staff will be working with the National Park Service Office of Public Health (OPH) and in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), taking immediate steps to address these results. Currently, officials said the risk of Legionnaires' disease in the park is low.
The National Parks Service said that most people exposed to the bacteria will not get sick, though it can cause severe illness in some people. The disease can be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms, which usually begin within two to 14 days after exposure, include cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches, fever, headache, confusion, nausea or diarrhea. Those who are 50 years or older, smokers, and those with weakened immune systems or other underlying illnesses are more at risk of getting sick.
If you suffer any of those symptoms, you are asked to contact your doctor. If you test positive, please contact the park's leadership as soon as possible.
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