Christmas Mountain Legionnaire's Disease Outbreak - Update

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), in collaboration with the Sauk County Health Department, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), worked with Christmas Mountain Village on the investigation of three cases of Legionnaires’ disease associated with Christmas Mountain Village Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Legionella, which can grow inside building water systems (pipes, hot water heaters, etc.).

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can include cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, and shortness of breath.
Legionnaires’ disease is more common in people aged 50 years and older, those who smoke, and among individuals who are at higher risk of infection, such as those with a chronic illness, respiratory disease, or a weakened immune system.
Legionnaires' disease is not normally spread from person to person.
People can get Legionnaires’ disease after breathing in small water droplets with Legionella. This CDC infographic(link is external) outlines how Legionella bacteria is spread from water sources to people.

Christmas Mountain Village Resort is working with a water management company on testing the resort’s water for Legionella and remediation (removal of Legionella from the water system).

The resort is continuing to notify guests at the time of reservation and check-in.
Point-of-use filters have been installed on showerheads and faucets in all units of the resort. These point-of-use filters are a recommended risk-reduction measure and will stay in place until testing and completing remediation (removal of Legionella) of all units at the resort is complete.

People who are planning to visit Christmas Mountain Village should evaluate their risk of infection or talk to their doctor before their visit and may wish to consider postponing their visit until after remediation is complete.

DHS and the Sauk County Health Department continue to monitor for new cases potentially associated with the resort. People who become ill with symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease within 14 days of their stay should seek medical attention and mention the information above to their doctor.

Update as of 7-28-2020

All lodging units (Deluxe Timbers, Timbers, Oaks, Log Cabins, Wilderness Showerhouse, Villas, Townhomes), the restaurant and registrations buildings have been remediated and sampling conducted by Sauk County Health Department showed "no legionella detected".

The following buildings have not been remediated or sampled:  Sales, Maintanence, PRV Laundry and Activity Building.

Christmas Mountain is continuing to sample all lodging units, restaurant and registration every 14 days for the first 3 months and every 30 days for 21 months thereafter, and all results are sent immediately to the Sauk County Health Department.

Christmas Mountain is required to provide notification to customers upon reservation and 30 days prior to arrival.

For more information regarding Legionella, please visit the CDC page.