Legionnaires' Disease: 11 Former Guests at Atlanta Hotel Have Illness

"Probable cases" are people who have symptoms of the disease, including diagnosed pneumonia for some, but without laboratory confirmation.

Medical researchers have not yet discovered the source of the bacterial infection that causes Legionnaires – a serious form of pneumonia uninfected said Nancy Nidam, Director of Communications at the Department of Public Health at Georgia.

"Based on epidemiological evidence, we have an outbreak among people left in (Sheraton Atlanta) during the same time period," she said. Guests who complained of lung problems and were later diagnosed with legionnaires attended a convention at a hotel in Atlanta a few weeks ago.

All 1

1 Legionnaires' disease cases were confirmed by testing and no deaths were reported.

The bacterium causes Legionnaires was not confirmed at the hotel she rented. external experts to test The State Department of Health, the Fulton County Health Board and environmental experts are also working with the hotel to test for the bacteria.

The hotel voluntarily closed on July 15 and remains closed, the Department of Health said on Monday. 400 guests have been moved to nearby hotels, CNN affiliate WSB-TV reported, environmental samples were collected on both July 19 and Monday, with results expected to take 14 days to complete.

"This is a typical way of dealing with these situations, as evaluation and testing can be complicated," according to Nidam. The State Department of Health and other agencies will work with the hotel on the next steps in the investigation.

Thousands of infected each year

About one in every 10 people who get sick from the disease Legionnaires will die a recent report the government found.

The disease infects 10,000 to 18,000 people in the US every year, some of the cases not reported to health authorities. The number of people with Legionnaires' disease has increased nearly four times from 2000 to 2014, the CDC said. People can get sick when they inhale fog or accidentally take in water in their lungs containing bacteria. It can be treated with antibiotics, according to the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention

The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating a group of Legionnaires' disease cases

In addition to the relocation of these guests in nearby hotels, Sheraton is associated with upcoming guests with reservations, according to Ken Pedutsi, general manager of the hotel.

"All guests with reservations made before August 11 are notified of the hotel's temporary closure and are working with Marriott and Sheraton Atlanta associates to find alternative accommodations. Guests whose reservations are canceled will receive full refunds," he said and added

James Francie, one of more than 400 displaced guests, told the WSB: "It's a travel hazard … so it happens. The CDC is here in town, so it's great."

Symptoms of Legionnaires 'Disease

Legionnaires' begins with a patient who feels bad and weak, according to Legionella.org educational organization Other common symptoms include cough, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle pain, chest pain and shortness of breath Incubation period – the time it takes for a person to show symptoms infected with the bacterium causing the disease – is from 2 to 10 days. [19659003] Describes as "severe, often fatal form of pneumonia" legionnaires may lead to treatment in the intensive care unit, according Legionella.org. Some symptoms may be long: One study showed that three-quarters of the survivors still feel tired, 66% have neurological symptoms, and 63% have neuromuscular symptoms months after diagnosis.

Scientists called the disease "Legionnaires' Disease" after an epidemic in Philadelphia in 1976, largely among people attending a state convention of the American Legion.

Legionella bacteria naturally occur in the environment, grow best in warm water and can be found in shower heads and taps, hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, decorative fountains or water systems in large buildings, according to the Georgia Department of Health. 189 cases of Legionnaires' disease in 2018 and 172 cases in 2017 were reported in Georgia

Source link

Legionnaires' Disease: 11 Former Guests at Atlanta Hotel Have Illness

Thousands of infected each year

Related Articles

A measles child visits PDX, Randall Children's Hospital while infectious – KATU

Canadian teenager develops type of popcorn from injury: report

"The Flu Almost Killed Me Last Winter"