Legionnaires disease

Legionnaires disease! What is Legionnaires disease? Legionnaires disease is a severe form of pneumonia and unlike other pneumonias is not acquired from person to person but from inhaling bacteria from the air-conditioning equipment. Individuals who are most susceptible to legionnaires’ disease are the elderly and those who have a weakened immune system.

Legionnaires’ disease has claimed a life of a Miami hotel guest according to today’s reports. A European tourist who stayed at the EPIC Hotel in Miami died from the disease. Two other prior guests had also fallen ill. WHO said that Legionnaires disease is a serious and sometimes fatal form of pneumonia.

EPIC Hotel officials are working with health officials to resolve the issue. Here is the statement provided this evening by Bruce Rubin on behalf of the hotel:

“The EPIC Hotel has voluntarily partnered with the Miami-Dade Health Department to notify guests and staff of the possible presence of bacteria in its water system, and to engage in water remediation efforts.

“Though not currently accepting guests, the hotel remains in operation and is focused on minimizing guest inconvenience. Simultaneously, the hotel is working toward a quick and thorough resolution of the matter.

“The EPIC Hotel has taken the following precautionary measures under the guidance and direction of the health department to provide for the health and safety of its guests and staff.

Steps taken thus far are as follows:

Immediate notification and communication of precautionary measures to guests and staff

Relocation of guests to area hotels to maximize guest care and minimize inconvenience

Efforts underway to notify future guests booked during this time, to make alternative arrangements

Worked together with the health department to conduct a thorough inspection of the hotel’s water system

Proceeded with all remedial procedures in conjunction with the health department to restore full system operations

“EPIC is working towards a quick and thorough resolution to the water issue, and looks forward to welcoming its guests back as soon as possible.”

Legionnaires disease Symptoms

Legionnaires’ disease was first identified in 1976 when an outbreak of pneumonia occurred at an American legion convention in Philadelphia. A mild form of Legionnaires’ disease is known as Pontiac fever. Untreated Legionnaires’ disease is fatal. Individuals who acquire legionnaires’ pneumonia usually develop symptoms in 2-14 days after exposure. The typical complains are that of a headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, confusion and loss of appetite.

The organism that cause Legionnaires’ disease thrives in warm damp environments and is often found indoors, in whirlpools, spas or air conditioning systems.

Healthy individuals usually do not acquire this infection. Most of the reported cases in the USA have been in smokers, elderly and those with chronic lung disease. When the treatment is delayed, respiratory failure and septic shock can occur.

The diagnosis of legionella pneumonia is usually straight forward and the disorder is curable if antibiotics are started as soon as possible. The earlier the antibiotics are started, the less is the chance of complications and possibly death.

Legionnaires’ disease symptoms: