Legionnaires’ Disease Strikes Las Vegas Casinos Once Again

Article by : Erik Gibbs Aug 28, 2023

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Las Vegas has been struck yet again by cases of Legionnaires’ disease. An official report was submitted to local authorities after visitors to Caesars Palace and The Orleans reported contracting the disease.

The Southern Nevada Health District launched an official investigation to get to the root cause of the cases. District officials report that two guests at Caesars Palace had been diagnosed within the previous 12 months.

However, as the investigation progressed, authorities confirmed that the disease was present within the physical environment of the hotel. These tests were obtained from the site, resulting in positive Legionella results.

Still, contrary to what was reported initially, the most current tests did not identify any bacteria in the environment. This inconsistency has led authorities to reconsider performing more tests throughout the following days and weeks.

A visitor was identified with the illness after staying at The Orleans. This was the second time that cases have been reported at the hotel this year. Two cases were discovered earlier this year.
After this first report was released, the casino administration had to clean up the water system on the premises. District authorities reported that no Legionella bacteria were found once the cleaning processes were executed according to health standards and protocols.

Both casinos cooperate with the highest authority in health standards to ensure that the bacteria is eliminated. The Health District is now leading the investigation and the cleaning protocols. Both cleaning procedures must be executed correctly and according to guided protocol. A testing phase is then applied at the end of each cleaning cycle.

In addition to moving forward with cleaning campaigns and testing, the authorities have demanded the hotels notify their guests of the risk of being exposed to the disease.

Aerosol water droplets tainted with germs, found in areas like showers, hot tubs, and faucets, are used to spread the disease. Legionnaires’ disease is considered a form of pneumonia.

According to the health district, most individuals, whether healthy or not, who are exposed to it do not become ill. After exposure, symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pains, and headaches typically start two to ten days later. Health authorities recommend the use of antibiotics to treat symptoms and the disease.
Currently, the Health District has issued a warning to all hotels in the strip to keep an eye on any suspicious cases of the disease.