Resort Guest Dies of Legionnaires’ Disease According to Nevada Health Officials

The bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease was found in water samples at the Luxor hotel-casino this month after a guest died of the form of pneumonia according to Health officials in Las Vegas.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia.  It is usually caused by breathing in the mist from hot tubs, showers or air conditioning units, cooling towers contaminated by legionella. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches and a high fever. It usually develops 2 to 14 days after exposure.

Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Laboratory Director, Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) indicated “generally speaking, Legionella bacteria can multiply in indoor water systems, such as hot tubs, air conditioners, fountains, mist sprayers in any resort and facility if not effectively treated and maintained. The bacteria can cause significant health implications to those affected.”

The Southern Nevada Health District said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national surveillance program reported three cases in the past year of Luxor guests being diagnosed with the disease caused by Legionella bacteria.

The new cases come as the company is already facing a civil lawsuit from guests who said they were infected with Legionella at the Aria Resort & Casino, part of the CityCenter complex that is half-owned by MGM Resorts.

MGM Resorts notified guests that they might have been exposed to the bacteria between June 21 and July 4 after the district reported six cases of Legionnaires’ disease in July. The district said those guests recovered after treatment.

According to reports, eight guests sued in August, seeking $337.5 million in damages from the resort and its builders. An MGM Resorts spokesman at the time denied negligence, saying hotel officials carefully communicated with its guests and reimbursed them fairly for legitimate medical expenses. The case is still pending in federal court in Las Vegas.

Dr. Sahay suggests that “building owners and facility managers should utilize environmental laboratories using both an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited lab and CDC-ELITE (Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation) certified lab for Legionella testing.  These labs will provide the confidence your treatment methods are capably performed saving you time and money.”

“Monitoring and measuring for Legionella is the key to prevention. Testing your water system is the only way to confirm the presence or lack thereof of Legionella. Studies show there are no substitutes for testing. If you don't test, you don't know. Culturing water is the best way to identify Legionella to assess risk and to verify the efficacy of disinfection” stated Dr. Sahay.

The disease is spread through inhalation of the bacteria, and not person-to-person contact, according to the website. Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include chills, confusion and gastrointestinal indications, according to the Mayo Clinic website.  According to CDC most cases of the illness can be treated with antibiotics.  The bacteria usually attack those that are immune-compromised. 

For an evaluation of your facility or home call the professionals at Building Health Check/Pure Air Control Services at 800-422-7873 ext 802.

The Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab) is one of a few AHIA accredited environmental microbiological laboratories that is also CDC ELITE proficient, the highest laboratory standard.  For DIY testing of your building for bacterial/Legionella condition contact EDLab at 1-800-422-7873 Legionella DIY kits are also available at www.INDOORAIRTEST.com, Grainger among other fine retailers.

About Pure Air Control Services:

Alan Wozniak founded Pure Air Control Services, Inc. in 1984 as a small mechanical contracting firm. Today, the firm sets the industry standard for indoor environmental quality diagnosis and remediation.

Pure Air Control Services  is a national provider of the following IAQ services: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check (USP 797 monitoring compliance); Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) an AIHA accredited micro laboratory (USP 797 Lab analysis); DIY IAQ Green Check test kits, Environmental Project Management; HVAC System Cleaning and Mold Remediation Services, among other indoor environmental services.

The company’s expanding valued client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services the reliable industry leader in IAQ.

For more information on Pure Air Control Services, Inc. please contact Cy Garner or Alan Wozniak at (800) 422-7873 ext 802 or visit our website

#  #  #