Las Vegas health officials are investigating cases of Legionnaires’ disease found in guests staying at two hotels.
The Southern Nevada Health District said two guests who stayed at Caesars Palace and another who stayed at The Orleans Hotel & Casino tested positive for the disease, according to a Thursday news release.
This infection is caused by Legionella bacteria.
Caesars Palace customers stayed at the hotel in the past 12 months, according to SNHD.
Recent environmental testing did not detect Legionella bacteria, the department said.
Steps to notify guests who may have been exposed to the disease are underway.
The case at The Orleans Hotel & Casino follows two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported in guests earlier this year. “Remediation of the property’s water system was conducted, and post-remediation testing did not detect Legionella bacteria,” SNHD said. “A third guest of the property was recently identified as a case, and an environmental sample tested positive for Legionella.”
The hotel is cooperating with health officials and “undergoing environmental remediation and testing to ensure the elimination of bacteria to protect the health and safety of its guests,” according to the SNHD.
“The health and safety of our guests is very important to us, and we have extensive measures in place to minimize risk to our guests,” said David Strow, a spokesman for Boyd Gaming Corporation, which owns The Orleans.
Bacteria live in freshwater environments and can become a health concern when they grow and spread in the water systems of man-made buildings.Getty Images
“We were recently notified by the Southern Nevada Health District that it is investigating a case of Legionnaires’ Disease reported by a guest staying in Orleans. After testing, legionella was not detected in the guest room. However, we will continue to work closely with the Health District in their investigation,” Strow said.
Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria.
People can become infected by accidentally inhaling the mist or swallowing water containing the bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Bacteria live in freshwater environments and can become a health concern when they grow and spread in man-made building water systems.
People can become infected by accidentally inhaling the mist or swallowing water containing the bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control.Getty Images
The number of cases reported to the CDC has increased since 2000, with nearly 10,000 cases reported in the US in 2018, according to government data.
Symptoms of the disease may include cough, shortness of breath, headache and fever. As a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Although the majority of people diagnosed with the disease require medical treatment in hospital, most recover completely.
The number of cases reported to the CDC has increased since 2000, with nearly 10,000 cases reported in the US in 2018, according to government data. TNS/Getty Images
“Most healthy people do not get Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to Legionella,” the CDC says in a fact sheet. “Being 50 or older or having certain risk factors can increase your chances of getting sick.” Risk factors may include smoking or being an ex-smoker, having a weakened immune system and having chronic lung disease.
SNHD asked those who stayed at Caesars Palace from August 1, 2023 to August 23, 2023, and experienced symptoms for up to 14 days to report their illness to the health district in a survey posted to its website. Guests staying at The Orleans since August 1, 2023 and experiencing symptoms are encouraged to do the same.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
