Miami Epic Hotel Legionnaires Outbreak Investigation Centers on Water System
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.
