Legionnaires’ Disease Kills 3 at Chicago Hotel

According to Fox News, a Legionnaire’s disease outbreak that developed in a Chicago hotel has killed three and infected seven others.

At this time, the hotel has not determined where the infectious Legionella bacteria originated, but has taken precautions by draining its fountain in the hotel lobby, the pool, and the hot tub. It also has shut down a portion of its spa.

At the time of the outbreak, between July 16th and August 16th, the hotel had accommodated 8,500 guests. Of the guests, 80% have been contacted and alerted about the possible risk of contracting Legionnaire’s disease.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe flu-like infection that is contracted by breathing in a mist or vapor that is contaminated with Legionella bacteria. The bacteria can grow in the biofilm in a multitude of warm water sources including water cooling towers, hot tubs, faucets, and showerheads. Children, the elderly, and individuals in poor health are more susceptible to developing a severe infection.

A medical official from the Chicago Department of Public Health has reported that there is not an ongoing health threat at the hotel.

“Legionnaires’ disease is not spread person to person, and in order for an individual to contract it, one must inhale mist or vapor from a water supply that is contaminated with Legionella bacteria,” states Diane Miskowski, MPH, Business Development Manager at EMSL Analytical, a leading Legionella testing lab. “Clients can be assured of EMSL’s scientifically defensible data, as we have proudly passed the CDC Legionella Testing Proficiency Program in our Cinnaminson, NJ; Houston, TX; San Leandro, CA; Indianapolis, IN; and Manhattan laboratories.”

For more information about EMSL’s food testing division, please contact EMSL at 800-220-3675, info@EMSL.com , or visit www.EMSL.com or www.foodtestinglab.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com