A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Atlanta has killed one woman and potentially infected dozens.
The onset of the bacterial disease, which can kill one in 10 people sickened with it, is believed to have originated at a Sheraton hotel in Atlanta during a July conference.
So far, 11 more cases of Legionnaires’ have been diagnosed — but health officials say another 61 people may also have it, judging by their symptoms, according to CNN.
The victim, Cameo Garrett, 49, died of coronary artery disease, but health officials told AJC.com that “Legionella was a contributing factor.”
Hotel guests who attended the conference were beginning to complain of lung problems and tested positive for the disease. Now, public health officials are trying to determine if the hotel was the source of the outbreak. In the meantime, the hotel is closed, general manager Ken Peduzzi said.
“Testing of the property happened last week, and the hotel has voluntarily moved ahead with precautionary remedial activities while awaiting results,” Peduzzi said.
Legionnaires’ disease is not contagious — it’s transmitted only through water and water vapor carrying the bacteria, which often grow in warm water and can be found anywhere from shower heads to water tanks. The disease infects up to 18,000 people in the US annually.
This year in NYC, the bacteria has appeared in the water system at NYCHA’s Bronx River Houses and killed one person in Washington Heights, where authorities believe the bacteria was in a building’s cooling towers.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease resemble those of pneumonia, including fever, chills, muscle aches and cough. They also include chest pain and shortness of breath. Symptoms can appear as soon as two days after infection, or as delayed as 10 days after contracting it.