Dixie Classic Fair bans mist fans after Legionnaires’ outbreak

Published 5:30 pm Friday, October 4, 2019

WINSTON-SALEM — The Dixie Classic Fair is banning the use of hand-held mist fans to guard against an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease like the one that happened at another fair last month.

A spokeswoman for the Dixie Classic also says the fair’s lone water ride will be disinfected daily and drinking fountains will be available inside a building adjacent to the fairgrounds.

Spokeswoman Siobhan Olson says the fair is following guidelines established by the N.C. Department of Agriculture for the fair, which opened Friday.

State health officials say more than 120 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after attending last month’s Mountain State Fair in Fletcher.

Health officials said an investigation suggests the outbreak could have been spread by a hot tub display at the fair.