MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Iowa health officials have linked a second death to a Legionella outbreak in Marshalltown.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reported Sept. 22, 2025, that an elderly adult with multiple underlying health conditions died on Sept. 18. To date, there have been 71 cases of legionellosis linked to the outbreak, including two deaths.
Read more from the department:
All available evidence continues to indicate cooling towers are the most likely source of the outbreak, although laboratory testing has not confirmed a direct source. Each business center with a cooling tower in the affected area has completed disinfection.
“We are encouraged to see fewer new cases reported recently,” said Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director. “Our teams remain engaged with building owners on disinfection and it will take additional time to know if this decline reflects successful remediation.”
Individuals who live, work, or have spent time in north central Marshalltown with a cough, fever, or other symptoms of pneumonia should see their health care provider and ask about Legionella. The Marshall County Health Department, Iowa HHS, and the CDC continue to investigate all possible sources while working with business centers on remediation and prevention efforts.
Multiple news outlets reported that the first fatality in the outbreak was the Rev. Bernard “Bernie” Grady, a retired Catholic priest.
Iowa health officials did not identify the second person who died.
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