Health Advisory Issued for Guests of St. Louis Hotel After Two Visitors Develop Legionnaires’ Disease

In December, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) advised the public of a possible health concern for individuals that may have been in contact with a water source within a St. Louis hotel on or after October 1, 2018. According to the advisory, two unassociated individuals were diagnosed in October and November with Legionnaires’ disease who stayed at the hotel during the same time period.

In most instances, when someone has developed Legionnaires’ disease, infection occurs after they breathe in mist or water droplets that have been contaminated with a type of bacteria known as Legionella. Infection can result in a serious type of pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease or it can cause Pontiac fever, a less significant infection. Certain groups of people are more likely to become gravely ill when infected, including individuals who are 65 years of age or older, smokers, people with chronic lung disease and individuals with a weakened immune system.

“There are a number of places the bacteria are commonly found in buildings, including plumbing systems, hot tubs, cooling towers and decorative water features,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Warm water is a breeding ground for the bacteria. For those who develop Legionnaires’ disease, the consequences can be severe and even deadly. This is why it’s so important that steps be taken to reduce the risk of infections through proactive measures such as testing and water management programs, especially in facilities that house people that are at increased risk of infection.”

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the largest providers of Legionella testing from environmental samples. The laboratory specialists have testing facilities throughout the United States and Canada where they offer traditional culturing methods and advanced PCR and DNA sequencing test methods to rapidly identify Legionella. EMSL has over twenty laboratories that have received the CDC’s Certificate of Proficiency from the agency’s Elite Program for Legionella testing and another five locations are also NYSDOH ELAP Legionella certified laboratories.

To learn more about Legionella or other microbial testing services, please visit www.LegionellaTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, email  info@EMSL.com  or call (800) 220-3675.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail