The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is reporting an increase in the number of reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease (LD). According to officials, between 2014 and 2020, there was an average of 10 cases during the months of June and July each year, ranging from 0-11 cases in a single month. Image/ National Atlas of the United States From June 2, 2021 to July 26, 2021 there have been 30 cases of Legionnaire’s disease, 29 of which have illness onset dates between June 17 and July 21. Twenty eight of the 30 people have been hospitalized. No common source of exposure has been identified, although an investigation is ongoing. “This is another example that underscores the value of RIDOH’s routine monitoring for communicable diseases,” said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH. “We know that Legionella bacteria grow best in complex water systems that are not well maintained. When this water becomes aerosolized in small droplets, such as in a cooling tower, shower, or decorative fountain, people can accidentally breathe in the contaminated water. This is of particular concern now as some buildings’ water systems have been offline for a prolonged period due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are just now returning to service.”