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ATLANTA (CNN) – An epidemic of legionellosis linked to a prominent hotel in Atlanta is the largest outbreak of legionellosis in Georgia, said Sunday a public health official at CNN.
One person died of the disease and another 11 people were diagnosed after staying at the Sheraton Atlanta, said Nancy Nydam, spokesperson for the organization. Department of Public Health of Georgia.
The number of probable cases has risen to 63, said Nydam. Probable cases are those that have symptoms of the disease but have not yet pbaded a laboratory test to confirm it.
The cases involve people who stayed or visited the downtown hotel between June 12 and July 15, said Nydam.
The hotel closed on July 16 and said it would remain closed until August 14 at least, chief executive Ken Peduzzi said in a statement on Friday.
"During our closure, we worked closely with the Georgia Department of Public Health, the Fulton County Board of Health, and environmental experts to conduct tests to ensure that it was safe." There was no risk of Legionella infection, "Peduzzi wrote. "An in-depth cleaning of the entire water distribution system of the hotel was carried out as a precaution, including the cleaning, cleaning and chlorination of all the features of the hotel. 39; water. "
He added that the hotel is waiting for other test results before announcing a reopening date.
Legionellosis is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, naturally occurring in the environment, usually in freshwater, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Bacteria can grow in hot water and can be found in shower heads and faucets, hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, decorative fountains or plumbing systems in large buildings.
Legionnaires' disease is treated with antibiotics, and most people who become ill recover completely, according to the state's Department of Health. However, people at increased risk of illness are usually 50 years old or older, are smokers or have already smoked, are suffering from chronic lung disease or have a weakened immune system.
According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 10 people with Legionellosis die. About 7,500 cases of Legionellosis in the United States were reported to the CDC in 2017, the agency said, adding that it was probably an underestimate because the disease was underdiagnosed.
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