One Dead, Dozens Sick After Legionnaires’ Outbreak in Atlanta

In the wake of a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak at the Sheraton Atlanta hotel, one woman has died of coronary artery disease aggravated by Legionella pneumonia and 11 more people have been confirmed as having the disease. Georgia authorities have reported that “another 61 cases are classified as ‘probable,’ meaning they have confirmed symptoms of the disease and pneumonia but not a lab test,” according to the Washington Post. The Georgia Department of Public Health has alerted people who stayed at or visited the Sheraton Atlanta hotel between June 12 and July 15, 2019, to fill out an online survey and seek immediate medical attention if they have signs or symptoms associated with legionellosis. Those symptoms include fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. A representative of the Georgia Department of Public Health said that those “who complained of lung problems and were later diagnosed with Legionnaires‘ had attended a convention at the Atlanta hotel in early July,” according to CNN. Understanding Legionnaires’ Disease Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. This type of bacteria can grow and spread in large plumbing systems, hot water heaters, hot tubs, shower heads and faucets. It is most[…..]

Hot Tub Infections A Hot Topic

Maybe you’re one of those folks who have tickets to board a cruise ship in Baltimore to escape the chilly days of winter in the Northeast. We couldn’t blame you for wanting to sail to a hotter climate, but if you spend part of that cruise sitting in a hot tub, you may come back with more than cheap souvenirs. The concern about health problems arising from the use of cruise ship hot tubs is nothing new. Back in 1994, a Legionnaires Disease outbreak aboard a Celebrity Cruise ship killed one passenger and sickened 50 others. Legionella bacteria was found in a filter that recirculated water for the ship’s three spas. More recently, on October 24, 2014, a Maryland man filed a complaint in federal court in Miami alleging that he developed a serious skin infection after using the hot tub on a Carnival cruise to the Caribbean last November. Charles Atwell alleges bacteria in the hot tub were responsible for a large and painful abscess which had to be surgically treated and drained. The suit alleges a pattern of bacterial infection in Carnival hot tubs and negligence on the part of the cruise company. The Carnival cruise line also[…..]

Legionnaire's Disease: What Is It?

Legionnaire’s disease is a type of lung infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People catch the disease by coming into contact with water infested with Legionella, the bacteria responsible for the disease. Although Legionella has existed in water supplies for centuries, the bacteria was only identified in 1976, when visitors at an American Legion convention all came down with the same symptoms caused by the bacteria. Legionnaire’s disease acts like pneumonia. People who are infected usually experience a high fever, chills, and a cough. Some patients have muscle aches and headaches as well. A chest X-ray can confirm whether or not you have pneumonia, while lab tests see whether the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease is present in your body. Legionnaire’s disease is serious: up to 30 percent of patients who have it suffer permanent injury or death. The disease is more likely to kill children and elderly patients but anyone can become a victim. Since the symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease usually don’t appear for at least two days after you catch the bacteria, figuring out where you got sick can be difficult. Legionella bacteria prefers warm water, like that in hot water tanks[…..]

LEGIONNAIRE BACTERIA DISCOVERED AT MARYLAND GENERAL HOSPITAL

For the second time in the last 22 months, evidence of the deadly legionella bacteria has been reported at Maryland General Hospital. Officials at Maryland General report that the virus was discovered on January 5th, 2009 in the shower area during routine testing of the Baltimore hospital’s water supply. While patients and staff members are being advised to drink bottled water and access to the showers are restricted, there are no reports of anyone becoming infected. Legionnaire’s disease affects between 10,000 to 50,000 Americans every year. The disease kills between five and 30 percent of those who contract it. Patients contact Legionnaire’s disease when they inhale vapor or mist that has bacterial contamination. It cannot be transmitted from person to person. The disease often occurs in hospitals, cruise ships and air conditioned hotels where bathtubs, whirlpool spas and hot tubs, humidifiers and plumbing systems become contaminated. Contact a Maryland Legionnaire’s Disease Lawyer if you believe you’ve been infected. Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease include cough, chills and high fever. Victims are usually diagnosed with pneumonia. If you suspect you may have contacted Legionnaire’s disease insist that you be given a urine test and tested specifically for the disease. Once diagnosed, patients[…..]