1 Death, 6 Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease Reported from Ocean City Hotel Stays

EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides testing for Legionella bacteria

WEBWIRE – Friday, October 14, 2011

Maryland’s health department recently announced that one person has died from Legionnaires’ disease after staying at the Plim Plaza Hotel in Ocean City. The department also verified the presence of Legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, at the hotel after analyzing water samples taken from the building.

So far the health department has confirmed six cases of Legionnaires’ disease in people who stayed there, reports the Washington Post. The hotel is now closed for the season.

Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious form of pneumonia that results in long term health effects or a flu-like illness called Pontiac Fever. Legionella bacteria are spread through mist or vapor from contaminated water in cooling towers, hot tubs, faucets, and showerheads. The use of certain rheumatoid arthritis and chemotherapy drugs can increase the risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

“EMSL Analytical, Inc. offers Legionella testing by both the culture method and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR),” states EMSL’s Business Development Manager, Diane Miskowski, MPH. “These testing methods can quickly and accurately identify water systems that contain the bacteria.”

More information about Legionella can be found at www.LegionellaTesting.com. In addition, EMSL has sponsored a public outreach video about the bacteria, which can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB7g81JxCq0.

To learn more about EMSL’s Legionella and other IAQ testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com, or call (800) 220-3675 x 2528.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal agencies.