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Legionnaires? Disease in Cozumel, Mexico | CDC Travelers' Health
Legionnaires’ Disease in Cozumel, Mexico
This information is current as of today, January 20, 2011 at 08:22 EST
Released: January 12, 2011
Situation Information
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease is ongoing at the Regency Club Vacation Resort and Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa (formerly Reef Club Cozumel), a hotel complex, on the island of Cozumel, Mexico. Since May 2008, there have been a total of nine confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease among tourists from the United States and the Netherlands who have stayed at this resort. Based on findings from a public health investigation in April 2010, disinfection of the resort’s shared potable water system was recommended. Although measures were taken at the resort to disinfect the water system, in December 2010, CDC was notified of the ninth case associated with the resort, suggesting that there is an ongoing source of exposure.
Recommendations for U.S. Travelers
Legionnaires’ disease is a pneumonia caused by inhaling aerosolized water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted from person to person. Misty water such as that given off by hot tubs, cooling towers, spray misters, showerheads, and faucets is a common source of Legionella.
Travelers at high risk of infection should consider staying at another resort or should avoid exposures to misty water at the hotel complex of the Regency Club Vacation Resort and the Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa, especially showering. High risk groups include:
* Current or former smokers
* People aged 50 or older
* People with any of the following chronic health conditions:
o Diabetes
o Chronic lung disease, such as COPD or emphysema
o Weakened immune system that might be caused by cancer, organ transplant, or certain prescription drugs
o Other chronic conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, asthma, heart disease, or liver disease
Rarely, people without any risk factors develop Legionnaires’ disease after exposure to Legionella.
Symptoms begin 2–14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Many people also have diarrhea, headaches, or muscle aches. Legionnaires’ disease can be a severe and fatal illness but most persons will recover with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Travelers who develop these symptoms during their trip or in the 2 weeks following their trip should see a doctor. Travelers seeing a doctor in the United States should be sure to tell the doctor that they have traveled to and stayed at the hotel complex of the Regency Club Vacation Resort or Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa in Cozumel, Mexico. A milder illness caused by the same type of Legionella bacteria is called Pontiac fever. The symptoms of Pontiac fever usually last for 2–5 days and may also include fever, headaches, and muscle aches; however, there is no pneumonia. Symptoms of Pontiac fever go away without treatment.
Examiner.com also has a few articles on this same issue located
Legionnaires disease outbreak in Cozumel - Minneapolis Airlines/Airport | Examiner.com
and
CDC travel notice: Legionnaires? disease in Cozumel - National infectious disease | Examiner.com
Legionnaires? Disease in Cozumel, Mexico | CDC Travelers' Health
Legionnaires’ Disease in Cozumel, Mexico
This information is current as of today, January 20, 2011 at 08:22 EST
Released: January 12, 2011
Situation Information
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease is ongoing at the Regency Club Vacation Resort and Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa (formerly Reef Club Cozumel), a hotel complex, on the island of Cozumel, Mexico. Since May 2008, there have been a total of nine confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease among tourists from the United States and the Netherlands who have stayed at this resort. Based on findings from a public health investigation in April 2010, disinfection of the resort’s shared potable water system was recommended. Although measures were taken at the resort to disinfect the water system, in December 2010, CDC was notified of the ninth case associated with the resort, suggesting that there is an ongoing source of exposure.
Recommendations for U.S. Travelers
Legionnaires’ disease is a pneumonia caused by inhaling aerosolized water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Legionnaires’ disease is not transmitted from person to person. Misty water such as that given off by hot tubs, cooling towers, spray misters, showerheads, and faucets is a common source of Legionella.
Travelers at high risk of infection should consider staying at another resort or should avoid exposures to misty water at the hotel complex of the Regency Club Vacation Resort and the Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa, especially showering. High risk groups include:
* Current or former smokers
* People aged 50 or older
* People with any of the following chronic health conditions:
o Diabetes
o Chronic lung disease, such as COPD or emphysema
o Weakened immune system that might be caused by cancer, organ transplant, or certain prescription drugs
o Other chronic conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, asthma, heart disease, or liver disease
Rarely, people without any risk factors develop Legionnaires’ disease after exposure to Legionella.
Symptoms begin 2–14 days after exposure and include high fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Many people also have diarrhea, headaches, or muscle aches. Legionnaires’ disease can be a severe and fatal illness but most persons will recover with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Travelers who develop these symptoms during their trip or in the 2 weeks following their trip should see a doctor. Travelers seeing a doctor in the United States should be sure to tell the doctor that they have traveled to and stayed at the hotel complex of the Regency Club Vacation Resort or Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa in Cozumel, Mexico. A milder illness caused by the same type of Legionella bacteria is called Pontiac fever. The symptoms of Pontiac fever usually last for 2–5 days and may also include fever, headaches, and muscle aches; however, there is no pneumonia. Symptoms of Pontiac fever go away without treatment.
Examiner.com also has a few articles on this same issue located
Legionnaires disease outbreak in Cozumel - Minneapolis Airlines/Airport | Examiner.com
and
CDC travel notice: Legionnaires? disease in Cozumel - National infectious disease | Examiner.com
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