July 15, 2011 - In
cooperation with the Southern Nevada Health District, ARIA Resort is
contacting guests who may have stayed with us from June 21 to July 4 at
a time when water tests detected elevated levels of Legionella bacteria
in several of our guest rooms.
Health officials have recently notified us of a few reported
instances of guests who visited ARIA, were diagnosed with, treated for,
and recovered from Legionnaires' disease (a form of pneumonia caused by
Legionella bacteria). In an abundance of caution, we are attempting to
notify guests who may have been exposed to these bacteria during this
short period.
ARIA has in place a water treatment program and, once the
initial tests were received, we immediately implemented a comprehensive
abatement effort. All subsequent tests have come back with no
detectable levels of active Legionella.
If anyone has further questions, we have representatives
standing by at 1-877-326-ARIA (2742).
Important Facts About Legionella:
- Legionella is naturally occurring in nature, found in most
water supplies and only causes illness when breathed in as a mist or
vapor.
- Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick.
- Legionella can cause a respiratory illness similar to
pneumonia. Most cases can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
- Symptoms of Legionellosis can include high fever, chills,
cough, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches.
- Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to
the bacteria.
- Some people in certain categories can be at higher risk of
infection due to a chronic illness, respiratory disease, or compromised
immune system or if they are a smoker or elderly.
- Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
Healthy people usually recover from infection.
- The bacteria are NOT spread from one person to another
person. You cannot catch it from another person. A person diagnosed
with Legionellosis is not a threat to family members or others who
share office space or other areas with him or her.
- If a former guest has developed any combination of these
symptoms, we encourage them to see their doctor.
- Legionella is a concern for all large buildings – hotels,
hospitals, schools – with large common water systems.
- ARIA has an ongoing, comprehensive water management program
in place, which includes regular testing for Legionella. After recent
elevated test results, ARIA implemented additional precautionary
measures – superheating and chemical treatment of water systems.
- Most recent test results show no detectible level of active
Legionella present in any of the locations tested. We continue to work
with the Southern Nevada Health District to monitor ongoing test
results.
- Additional information on Legionella is available on the
Southern Nevada Health District website, www.SNHD.info, or by
calling the Health District's information line, (702) 759-INFO (4636)
or toll free (866) 767-5038.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What should I do if I recently stayed at or visited
ARIA and have illness symptoms?
If you start to feel ill, contact a doctor. If your
doctor feels it is necessary, they may run a test to determine the
cause of any illness and if it is from Legionella. Most healthy people
are successfully treated for Legionellosis with antibiotics.
- What precautionary measures do you have in place so
that this doesn't happen again?
ARIA has a comprehensive water management program in
place, which includes regular testing for Legionella. After recent
elevated test results, ARIA implemented additional precautionary
measures including superheating and chemical treatment of water
systems.
Most recent test results at ARIA show no detectible level of active
Legionella present in any of the locations tested. We continue to work
closely with the Southern Nevada Health District to monitor ongoing
test results.
Water features and Air Conditioning systems at ARIA have been tested
and produced clean results.
- Where can I go for more information about
Legionnaires' disease?
Contact your doctor or the Southern Nevada Health
District website at http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/health-topics/legionellosis.php,
or by calling the Health District's information line, (702) 759-INFO
(4636) or toll free at (866) 767-5038.
- Is Legionnaires' disease contagious?
The bacteria are NOT spread from one person to
another person. You cannot catch it from another person. A person
diagnosed with Legionellosis is not a threat to family members or
others who share office space or other areas with him or her.
- Do you know which rooms were contaminated?
We are aware that several guest rooms registered
elevated levels of the bacteria, but testing on those rooms have since
showed no reason for any concern. We have taken measures to eliminate
high levels of the bacteria throughout our entire building. Results of
ongoing testing shows no levels of Legionella. We will continue to work
with Southern Nevada Health District to monitor and conduct future
testing.
- How many people got sick?
We don't know. We have been told that a few people
who got sick may have been exposed to the bacteria at ARIA. But we
haven't received any complaints from customers.
- When did these people become sick?
In an abundance of caution, we are attempting to
notify guests who may have been exposed to these bacteria during this
short period, from June 21 to July 4.
- Was the elevated bacteria found at other hotels on
the City Center campus such as Vdara or Mandarin?
No the elevated results were only found at the ARIA Resort and Casino.
Current tests at ARIA show no elevated levels of the bacteria.
- Who can I call at ARIA for questions regarding this
notice?
Please call 1-877-326-ARIA (2742) to speak directly
with our staff about this issue.
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