Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Legionella,Legionnaire's disease,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on July 30, 2024
The Southern Nevada Health District is investigating a case of Legionnaires’ disease at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino. In a news release published July 26, 2024, the agency explains what prompted the investigation, what they are doing about it, and what guests should do if they are concerned about illness.
Here’s what we know!
Within the last six months, the Sothern Nevada Health District has been notified of two “travel-associated” cases of Legionnaires’ disease at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino with illness diagnosed shortly after a stay there. This cluster of illnesses prompted an investigation.
One guest who stayed at the hotel during December 2023 reported Legionnaires’ related symptoms and diagnosed with the illness.
Within six months, a second guest was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. This guest staying at the hotel in June 2024.
Every case of Legionnaires’ disease is serious. However, a cluster of illnesses indicates a larger issue. More patient data can also shed light on a potential source of illness. In this case, both patients stayed at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino.
In an effort to determine the source of the Legionella bacteria responsible for these Legionnaires’ disease illnesses, water sampling was performed.
In fact, water sampling was performed after the first case of Legionnaires’ disease.
Following reports a guest staying at the hotel falling sick with Legionnaires’ disease, an initial water sampling investigation turned up negative. All water samples collected from the hotel tested negative for Legionella bacteria.
Following the second case of Legionnaires’ disease at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino, another round of water sampling was performed.
Nineteen samples were obtained at various points in the facility’s water system.
One sample tested positive for Legionella bacteria. All other samples tested negative.
In response to the investigation, the Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino facility conducted remediation activities on their water system.
Subsequent testing found no Legionella bacteria
Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino are cooperating with the Southern Nevada Health District’s investigation.
Steps to notify guests of Legionnaires’ disease investigation and potential exposure are underway. As are activities to minimize subsequent Legionnaires’ disease risks.
The Southern Nevada Health District is requesting the public’s help with the investigation. Additional reports of Legionnaires’ disease illness may broaden or narrow the exposure period for the investigation.
From the news release:
“Guests whose stay at Caesars Palace included time from July 11, 2024 to July 24, 2024 and who experienced symptoms up to 14 days after their stay can report their illness to the Health District using a survey posted on its website at https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7913781/24-036-Investigation-Survey-Caesars-Palace. If guests are currently still symptomatic, they should seek medical attention and alert their medical provider of the potential exposure.”
According to the department, guests who stayed at Caesars Palace prior to July 11, 2024, and are not experiencing Legionnaires’ disease symptoms are not at risk for the disease.
This is not the first outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease associated with the Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino facility.
Just last Summer, MakeFoodSafe.com reported on an outbreak associated with the facility.
During the course of the 2023 investigation, two cases were reported from guests associated with the facility.
Legionnaires’ disease is an illness associated with Legionella bacterial infection. Legionella bacteria can be found in freshwaters such as lakes, rivers, and streams. In this natural environment, infection is rare.
The risk of infection increases when the bacteria make their way into man-made water systems where it can be breathed into the lungs.
Certain man-made water systems are more susceptible to Legionella bacterial growth. However, the germs become dangerous when they have an opportunity to become aerosolized. These small droplets containing the harmful bacteria can be breathed into the lungs, resulting is a serious, pneumonia-like illness.
Common sources include:
Anyone can potentially become infected with Legionella bacteria. However, most people do not get sick or experience serious symptoms. Some people, on the other hand, are at higher risk of becoming sick if exposed.
Those at higher risk include:
Legionnaires’ disease symptoms are often lumped in with other types of pneumonia and often goes undiagnosed. In fact, Legionnaires’ disease is even indistinguishable from common pneumonia on a chest x-ray.
Common symptoms include:
Other symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, and/or confusion.
These symptoms often begin between 2 to 14 days after exposure. However, in some cases it may take longer.
Unfortunately, without proper diagnosis, appropriate medication that would reduce recovery time is often not administered. Talk to your doctor about potential Legionnaires’ disease exposure so that the appropriate diagnostic tests can be perfomed.
If you have been exposed to Legionnaires’ disease at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a proven record of helping victims of Legionnaires’ disease exposure receive the justice they deserve. Legionnaires’ disease is a preventable illness with exposure events often caused by lapses in established prevention protocols.
Call The Lange Law Firm, PLLC at (833) 330-3663 or click here for the online submission form to go over the details of your case. Don’t wait. Get the help you need, and your questions answered now!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)