Orlando – The Orange County Health Department is continuing its investigation into two laboratory confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease as well as the environmental analysis of numerous possible sources to determine the cause of exposure, and if anyone else may be at risk of the disease.  The two individuals stayed at a Quality Suites Hotel, located at 7400 Canada Ave. Orlando which is being investigated to determine if this is a possible source of exposure.
 
The pool and hot tub at the hotel have been closed as a precaution while sample water tests are being conducted. Eighty five percent of the individual hotel rooms have been assessed and some remain closed while others have had their air conditioning systems cleaned and sanitized. Remediation has been completed in some rooms and guests are allowed to check into these. The hotel management has fully cooperated with the investigation, helping to lower any potential health risks.
 
Legionnaires' disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria that can be found naturally and anywhere in our environment.  It’s important to know that it can not be spread person to person. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, or parts of the air-conditioning systems found in large buildings. Legionella bacteria do not seem to grow in car or window air-conditioners.
 
People get Legionnaires' disease when they breathe in a mist or vapor (small droplets of water in the air) that has been contaminated with the bacteria. One example might be from breathing in the steam from a whirlpool spa that has not been properly cleaned and disinfected.
Individuals most at risk of getting sick from the bacteria are older people (usually 65 years of age or older), as well as people who are smokers, or those who have a chronic lung disease (like emphysema).  People who have weak immune systems from diseases like cancer, diabetes, or kidney failure are also more likely to get sick from Legionella bacteria.
 
Sign and symptoms for Legionnaire’s disease include high fever, chills, and cough.   Should you have these symptoms, please contact your primary care physician for diagnosis and treatment. For more information, about Legionnaires’ disease, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web site at www.cdc.gov.
 
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