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State health officials are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires’ disease diagnoses in Marshalltown that have affected 21 people and led to one death.

The people diagnosed with the disease live in north central Marshalltown, according to a news release issued Thursday by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm water and typically spread when a person inhales aerosolized water droplets, such as mist from cooling towers, hot tubs or decorative fountains.

The disease is not contagious and most healthy people who are exposed do not get sick, according to the release. The person who died as a result of the Ma

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