Posted on 07/16/2011 7:37:08 AM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
Six people have been treated for the disease and all have recovered.
Exposure is estimated to have occurred between June 21 and July 4.
Four of those who fell ill had stayed at the high end ARIA Resort and Casino, which is located on the Las Vegas Strip.
After the resort was notified of the outbreak by the CDC, testing was done at the Aria Resort and the legionella bacteria was found in a number of guest rooms.
Additional tests done more recently found no contamination.
Legionnaires disease is a variant of pneumonia that is sometimes fatal.
Although no specific point of origin of the bacteria in this outbreak has been confirmed it is likely to have come from hot tubs, showers or the air conditioning system.
Legionella, the bacteria that causes the disease, thrives in warm, moist environments such as hot tubs.
The jets in the hot tub create mist that can release the bacteria into the air.
Once airborne, the bacteria is breathed in where it infects the lungs but is treatable with antibiotics.
(Excerpt) Read more at smartabouthealth.net ...
My gosh, we have reservations there. Must rethink.
I was at Aria last May 4-9.
I guess i lucked out....I hope.
Aria Hotel
Legionnaires disease is present in most large water type cooling systems. Chemical treatment is necessary to protect the equipment and kill unwanted biological elements. I suspect that they can dose the cooling towers and all will be well.
Pretty hotel, but not worth Legionnaires’ Disease.
You're probably right, but there might be a lot of cancelled reservations.
You're talking about the cooling towers located, usually, on the roof. These are open to the outside air and have no direct connection to the air carried in the ducts. In fact, you're more likely to be exposed as a result of this contamination outside the hotel, which is what happened in the original American Legion case.
Due to the rapid drying involved, and the bacteria dying as a result, infection by bacteria carried through the air ducts is pretty unlikely.
The most common mode of infection, though usually infecting only one or two people at a time, is as a result of showering.
People go on vacation, leaving their hot water heater on. The lack of circulation and the moderately warm temperature in the tank allows Legionella amplification.
When they shower on return, the bacteria are aerosolized by the shower head and inhaled.
The disease is much more common than people realize. It is usually diagnosed as pnuemonia, which it is indeed a form of.
People go on vacation, leaving their hot water heater on. The lack of circulation and the moderately warm temperature in the tank allows Legionella amplification.
Interesting...
I’d be more concerned about the throngs of gang looking Mexicans than bacteria infesting vegas.
I go to Las Vegas every May and last May it seemed like there was a freaking MS-13 Gang convention going on everwhere.
It really kinda soured my vacation.
Not really looking forward to going back now any time soon.
Interesting.. this is why it is called legionnaires disease. History repeating itself.
“Legionella, the bacteria that causes the disease, thrives in warm, moist environments such as hot tubs.”
Do they really know this condition is caused by this or is it guessing? At some point in time, they really didn’t know or where it even came from.
I haven't been there since 2007. I'd have to fly to get there, and who feels like flying if you don't have to.
My daughter-in-law’s mother had it some years ago, and almost died. She’s had serious health problems ever since.
Are you saying she never fully recovered?
No, because apparently, LD seems to provide immunity to itself. I am just saying that it appears to have weakened her to such a degree that she has had problems, especially immune and respiratory, ever since.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.