Guests of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel property on Courtland Street Northeast complained about lung problems after a convention which occurred a couple of weeks ago, which has caused the hotel property to close for business until further notice while guests were relocated to other hotel properties.
Sheraton Atlanta Hotel Closed Until Further Notice Due to Legionnaires’ Disease
At least three cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported by guests who stayed at the hotel property, according to this message which was posted on Twitter by Lori Wilson of WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News in Atlanta.
The @sheratonhotels in downtown Atlanta is shutting down and relocating guests after 3 cases of legionnaires disease were reported by guests who stayed in the hotel a couple of weeks ago, they say guest safety is their top priority @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/bmCqEunrb1
— Lori A Wilson (@LoriWilsonWSB) July 15, 2019
“Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia — lung inflammation usually caused by infection. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a bacterium known as legionella”, according to this article from the Mayo Clinic. “You can’t catch legionnaires’ disease from person-to-person contact. Instead, most people get legionnaires’ disease from inhaling the bacteria. Older adults, smokers and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to legionnaires’ disease.”
Prevention of legionnaires’ disease requires meticulous cleaning and disinfection of water systems, pools and spas.
Also, avoiding smoking is the single most important thing you can do to lower your risk of infection, as smoking increases the chances that you will develop legionnaires’ disease if you’re exposed to legionella bacteria.
“Showerheads, hot tubs, perhaps even some outbreaks in the past have been associated with decorative fountains,” according to Cherie Drenzek — who is the epidemiologist of the state of Georgia and is currently investigating this issue with the Fulton County Board of Health, the hotel property, and environmental specialists — in this article from the aforementioned television station. “They have a beautiful swimming pool and it’s shut down right now. They say they’re working on the filtration system. Maybe they haven’t made the linkage.”
Summary
Management and employees of hotel and resort properties must continuously take the utmost care in keeping Legionella out of water systems in buildings, as that is key to preventing infection.
“About one in 10 people who gets sick from Legionnaires’ disease will die”, according to this article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. “Health departments reported about 6,100 cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the United States in 2016. However, because Legionnaires’ disease is likely underdiagnosed, this number may underestimate the true incidence.
In the meantime, seek alternative lodging arrangements if you plan on staying in Atlanta in the near future, as the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel property is closed until further notice.
Photograph ©2014 by Brian Cohen.
