Legionnaires Disease Marches Through Peak Season, Cases Mount Annually

Posted on August 18, 2011 by PritzkerLaw

The number of legionellosis cases reported in the U.S. has increased 217 percent over the last decade, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Legionnaires disease, a serious, sometimes lethal pneumonia, and Pontiac fever, an illness similar to influenza are the two most common forms of legionellosis, which is caused by Legionella bacteria.

June through October is the peak season for legionellosis,  which is transmitted when microscopic water droplets containing legionella bacteria are inhaled. Most often, water sources in commercial settings are involved including the spray from showers, faucets, fountains and whirlpools, or water dispersed through a ventilation or cooling systems.

Between 2000 and 2009,  22,418 cases of legionellosis were reported, with the number of cases reported annually rising from 1,110 in 2000 to 3,522 in 2009. Almost a quarter of the reported cases were travel-related, most of which involved only domestic travel. About 5 percent of cases involved travel on a cruise ship.

 

 

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Miami Epic Hotel Legionnaires Outbreak Investigation Centers on Water System

Posted on December 15, 2009 by PritzkerLaw

The luxury Epic Hotel in downtown Miami is closed this week while officials inspect and super-chlorinate its water system following the death of a hotel guest and illnesses to two others -- all from Legionnaires' Disease.

Miami-Dade health officials are still investigating and have not yet linked the outbreak to the Epic Hotel. But the investigation so far has found that a powerful water filtration system newly purchased by the hotel was stripping out chlorine, making it susceptible to bacterial growth and waterborne disease.

Dr. Vincent Conte, the health department's top epidemiologist, told the Miami Herald that his department wants to hear from anyone who has recently stayed at the hotel and experienced Legionnaires' Disease symptoms. Symptoms include cough, fever with or without chills, greenish or yellow sputum, headaches and body aches. The incubation period is two to 14 days from the time of exposure.

If you or a loved one is exhibiting these symptoms after a stay at the Epic, see a physician immediately. For answers to legal questions or for assistance in dealing with the Miami-Dade health department, call national food safety law firm Pritzker Olsen Attorneys at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit a contact and information form on the side of this web page.

One European tourist died in October, and two others fell ill in November, all from Legionnaires' Disease, Conte told the Miami newspaper. Staying at the Epic was a variable that all three victims had in common. 

Legionnaire's Disease is a type of pneumonia that can kill 5 percent to 30 percent of those it infects. Each year in the U.S., between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease. However, many infections are not diagnosed or reported, so this number may be higher. The disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics.

Pritzker Olsen is a law firm for victims of foodborne and waterborne disease. We are one of the few firms in the country practicing extensively in this area of litigation and we have recovered tens of millions for our clients. If you need legal representation in connection with the Miami Epic Hotel Legionnaires' outbreak investigation, please contact us. 

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