1 dead, 11 sickened in Legionnaires' disease outbreak in California's Napa County

A Legionnaires' disease outbreak in California's wine country has caused one death and nearly a dozen hospitalizations since mid-July, and public health officials have found one possible source of the bacteria that causes the illness, authorities said Wednesday.

High levels of Legionella bacteria were found in a water sample taken from a cooling tower at Embassy Suites Napa Valley, although none of those who were sickened had visited or stayed at the hotel, according to a Napa County statement.

"The cooling tower has since been taken offline, which mitigates any ongoing risk to public health," the statement said.