MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa ( KCCI ) - Iowa public health officials say the number of Legionnaires’ disease cases in Marshall County has increased to 70 since August, KCCI reports.

State officials reported an increase in Legionnaires’ disease cases from 61 on Tuesday to 70 on Friday. The number of cases has tripled in two weeks.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services first reported on the illness in the region on September 4. A retired Catholic priest is the only confirmed death so far.

Legionella bacteria occurs naturally in standing water and often traced to large air conditioners that are part of HVAC systems. People get sick through contaminated water droplets, and it can be deadly if untreated.

The source of this outbreak is still unclear, although state and local leaders sus

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