No Active Legionella Bacteria in Las Vegas Aria Hotel & Casino
If you were in Las Vegas in the month of June to July, you may need to check for symptoms of fever, chills, coughing, headaches, and loss of appetite – all signs possibly pointing to a case of Legionnaires’ disease.
Six cases of the pneumonia-like disease were discovered at the Aria Hotel & Casino, according to the Southern Nevada Health District.
Public Information Manager Jennifer Sizemore stated that sampling was conducted at the resort after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informed her that cases of the disease were found in out-of-state visitors who stayed at the hotel, reported Medical News Today.
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In cooperation with the health district, Aria Resort contacted guests who stayed at their hotel from June 21 to July 4, when water tests detected elevated levels of Legionella bacteria in several of their guest rooms.
The common and naturally occurring bacteria exists in most water supplies and in some circumstances, may lead to respiratory illness or pneumonia. It grows best in warm water, hot and cold water taps, hot water tanks, and water in air conditioning systems.
The bacteria originated in 1976, when people who attended a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from an outbreak of the disease. In 2011, the bacteria was also found in a hot tub at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles; 439 people became sick as a result.
According to the official statement released by the Nevada hotel, illness usually occurs when someone receives direct concentrated exposure to the bacteria when breathed in as a mist or vapor. Symptoms usually begin two to 14 days after exposure.
It is reported not to be contagious and can be successfully treated with antibiotics, although in five to 30 percent of the cases, death can occur, according to the CDC. Those who smoke or are 65 and older are at a higher risk.
Each year in the United States, about 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized due to the disease. The illness usually occurs in the summer or the early fall, though it can happen any time of the year.
The Nevada Health District shared that every patient that contracted the disease from the hotel was successfully treated and have fully recovered.
The Aria has been working to eliminate the bacteria from the water source, undertaking a multi-prong remediation plan.
Vice President of Hotel Operations Paul Berry stated, “Following the recent elevated test result, our facilities team immediately implemented additionally precautionary measures, and our most recent test results indicate that no detectible level of active Legionella bacteria was present in any of the locations tested. We will continue to monitor our water quality on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety of the water system and our guests.”
No new cases have been reported as of yet.
