A retirement home in New Glasgow is dealing with an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease.

The first signs of the outbreak began last week and now a representative from Nova Scotia Health says there are eight confirmed cases and 18 more people being monitored for potential cases at Glen Haven Manor.

Legionnaires’ disease is spread through a contaminated water source. You can catch it by drinking that water or breathing in mist generated by it. Because of its ability to be spread through mist, air conditioning units, water heaters, and humidifiers can all contribute to spreading the disease. It cannot spread from person to person.

As of right now, the source of the outbreak at Glen Haven has not been found but officials from the Department of Environment and Climate Change are working on it and have begun to undertake environmental testing.

Nova Scotia Health says they’ve provided guidance to the retirement home’s residents and staff for reducing the risk of exposure, and have started cleaning the home’s water systems.

Residents of New Glasgow, Trenton, and Stellarton have also been advised to monitor themselves for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease. They include fever, chills, dry cough, muscle aches, headache, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.