Aria Resort in Las Vegas linked to Legionnaires Disease

The Aria Resort & Casino in the tony CityCenter of Las Vegas is advising recent guests about possible exposure to Legionnaires disease during their stay, according to a letter posted on the hotel-casino’s website.The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that six cases of the bacteria-spread pneumonia traced to the Las Vegas hotel have been reported to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Aria’s letter tells guests who stayed from June 21 to July 4 that they may have been exposed to the Legionella bacteria, which spreads the disease. The hotel says water tests detected “elevated levels” of the bacteria in several guest rooms” — a problem it says has been remedied.
What is Legionnaires Disease ?
According to MayoClinic, Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a bacterium known as legionella. Legionella bacterium also causes Pontiac fever, a milder illness resembling the flu.
Legionnaires Disease Symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease usually develops two to 14 days after exposure to legionella bacteria. It frequently begins with the following signs and symptoms:
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Fever that may be 104 F (40 C) or higher
By the second or third day, you’ll develop other signs and symptoms that may include:
- Cough, which may bring up mucus and sometimes blood
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Confusion or other mental changes
