Las Vegas hotel records new Legionnaires' disease case
The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is investigating new cases of Legionnaires' disease at two Las Vegas hotels.
The reported cases are linked to two guests staying at Caesars Palace and a guest from Orleans, a Boyd Gaming-owned hotel where two cases were reported earlier this year, SNHD reported.
According to a news release from SNHD, samples collected from the Kaiser water system tested positive for Legionella, a bacteria that can sometimes cause fatal illness. The resort has corrected the issue and recent tests showed no Legionella bacteria.
However, guests staying at Caesars Entertainment hotels between August 1 and August 23, 2023, who develop symptoms within 14 days of check-in should seek immediate medical attention. They should also inform their physician of the exposure and report their condition to SNHD using this survey.
Symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pain and headache usually appear within two to 10 days of exposure.
Legionnaires will be unveiled in early 2023
In December 2022 and January 2023, two confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported in Orleans. The water system at the hotel off the Las Vegas Strip was also treated and after repairs the test returned a clean result.
However, SNHD said a third guest in Orleans was recently diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease and the sample again tested positive for Legionella.
Guests staying at the Orleans starting from August 1, 2023 who develop symptoms 14 days after their stay are advised to follow the above procedures.
Guests who visited Caesars Palace or Orleans two weeks ago and have not developed symptoms since are no longer at risk of contracting the disease
Basic knowledge of Legionnaires’ disease
Named after the gathering where it was first discovered, the 1976 American Legion convention in Philadelphia, Legionnaires' disease is a type of atypical pneumonia that is spread by inhaling aerosolized water or soil contaminated with Legionella bacteria. It does not spread from person to person. Central air conditioning systems in buildings, hotels and hospitals are a common cause.
Most healthy people exposed to Legionella bacteria do not get sick. However, an estimated 8,000 to 18,000 cases require hospitalization each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Mortality rates range from 5% to 30%. There is currently no vaccine available.
People who are 50 or older, are current or former smokers, have a weakened immune system or are taking medications that may weaken the immune system, or people who have chronic lung disease, diabetes, kidney failure, or liver failure are at higher risk for Legionnaires' disease.
The Southern Nevada Health District hotline (702) 759-4636 (INFO) is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday.
Main image: Michael M via Unsplash
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