If you have read the news lately, you’ve probably heard the latest about the Epic Hotel in Miami, FL.  They had a breakout of waterborne illness called Legionnaires’ Disease.  As of the morning of the 15th the Miami Herald knew of one death that came as a direct result of the tainted water.  Apparently the hotel had recently installed a filtering system to remove chlorine from the local water.  The removal of chlorine (a powerful disinfectant) allowed bacteria to flourish and the water supply became a breeding-ground for Legionnaires’ Disease.

Legionnaires’ Disease is essentially a severe form of pneumonia caused by a bacterium known as legionella.  It is not a “communicable” disease, meaning you can’t catch it from person-to-person contact (like a handshake or a kiss).  Most people contract the disease by inhaling the bacteria, but in the case of the Epic Hotel, patrons ingested the bacteria by drinking the water.  Symptoms include fever, body aches and chills, headaches,and greenish-yellow phlegm.  Legionnaires’ Disease can also cause Pontiac fever, which will usually go away on its own.  Legionnaires’ Disease, on the other hand, can be fatal if left untreated.  Not to worry though, antibiotics are very effective in combating the disease.

If you, or someone you know, has stayed at the Epic Hotel recently please call the Miami Health Department at (305) 470-5660.

Resources:  www.mayoclinic.com, www.miamiherald.com