Miami has number of legionnaires' disease cases. Monday, 14th December 2009 Source : Variety of sources

Guests at a downtown Miami luxury hotel have been relocated after health officials determined three international visitors contracted Legionnaires' disease there. One died.

The Miami-Dade County Health Department's senior physician said Sunday that three cases of Legionnaires have been diagnosed at the Epic Hotel since October.

Follow the link below to read the full story in a new window:

www.nola.com/health/index.ssf?/base/national-82/1260660906200210.xml&storylist=health


What is Legionnaires' disease?

Health & Safety Executive UK: Legionnaires Disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which can affect anybody, but which principally affects those who are susceptible because of age, illness, immunosuppression, smoking etc.

It is caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila and related bacteria that can be found naturally in environmental water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, usually in low numbers.

As they are commonly found in environmental sources they may also be found in purpose built water systems such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers and whirlpool spas.

If conditions are favourable the bacterium may grow creating conditions in which the risk from legionnaires' disease is increased.

• Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia. It was named after an outbreak of severe pneumonia that affected a meeting of the American Legion in 1976. It is an uncommon but serious disease.
• It is actually one of a group of similar diseases collectively known as legionellosis. The other forms, eg Pontiac Fever and Lochgoilhead Fever, have similar symptoms but are not as serious as Legionnaires' disease.
• Legionnaires' disease occurs more frequently in men than women. It usually affects middle-aged or elderly people, and it more commonly affects smokers or people with other chest problems.
• About half the cases of Legionnaires' disease are caught abroad, and useful advice on travel can be obtained from the European Working Group for Legionella Infections^[1] (EWGLI). The other half are the result of infections acquired in the UK.