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2 Legionnaires’ Disease Cases Linked to Hotel Spa in Chicago Suburb, Health Officials Confirm
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- Two confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been linked to the pool and hot tub at the Hilton Garden Inn North Shore/Evanston in Illinois, leading to the closure of the spa since September 2.
- Testing by the Illinois Department of Public Health found Legionella bacteria in the hot tub's water system, and the spa will remain closed until full remediation is completed; other hotel areas tested negative.
- Legionnaires’ disease is a serious pneumonia-like illness caused by inhaling mist containing Legionella bacteria, primarily affecting older adults, smokers, and those with underlying health conditions, but it is not spread person to person.
- This incident follows a recent detection of Legionella bacteria at Yankee Stadium and an outbreak in the South Bronx that resulted in one death and multiple hospitalizations.
- Health officials continue to monitor and investigate Legionella risks in public water systems, emphasizing that detection of bacteria does not always confirm active infection sources or increased risk inside buildings.
