7 cases of Legionnaires' disease tied to Las Vegas Rio hotel

[TexasTowelie]

Last edited Wed Nov 15, 2017, 08:03 AM - Edit history (1)

Five months after an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease was reported at the Rio, the number of confirmed cases of the pneumonia-like bacterial illness among guests has risen to seven, with 29 more cases suspected, the Southern Nevada Health District said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, cleaning and testing of the hotel’s water system is continuing to ensure that the disease has been eradicated.

That’s a normal timeline for a Legionnaires’ outbreak investigation, health experts say.

“In a situation like this, part of the process of these investigations on an environmental aspect is continued testing and monitoring,” said Robert Cole, the health district’s senior environmental health specialist.

Read more: https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/7-cases-of-legionnaires-disease-tied-to-las-vegas-rio-hotel/

[global1]

1. I Stayed There In Early Oct. For 3 Nights....

On Monday I received a letter from hotel management indicating that they had an outbreak of LD with 2 cases reported and indicated I may have been exposed. They knew about this outbreak back in Mar/Apr. The letter indicated symptoms and the incubation period of 14 days. Went on to say if you haven't had symptoms you're ok. Gave a telephone number of the health dept instead of the hotel number for further contact.

I was incensed that the hotel didn't inform me about this when I made the reservation nor when I checked in. If I would have known about this I would have had an option of not staying and switching to another hotel. They held back this info and
recklessly let me be exposed so as not to lose the money.

I called the hotel and asked to talk to a manager to express my dissatisfaction of them not giving their guests the consideration of informing them before their stay to allow their guest to make the decision to keep their reservation and stay or switch to another hotel in Vegas. The lady I spoke to got very defensive. Said they didn't need to inform their guest because this LD outbreak was publicized in the press and I should have known about it. She wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise to let me say - it should have been their responsibility to inform all guests about this before their stay and potential exposure by staying at the hotel. When I attempted to get her to listen to me by raising my voice - she hung up on me.

Was I wrong with my opinion that they should inform their guests before their stay?

The letter only indicated 2 cases and now I read this OP and it states 7 cases. So apparently they still don't have the situation under control.

Now I didn't exhibit symptoms of LD nor get it - but I still feel it was their responsibility to inform.

I'm wondering if others that stayed at the Rio and were potentially exposed feel the way I do about this and if we have a beef here?

Any comments will be appreciated.

[TexasTowelie]

2. I don't know anything about Nevada tort laws, but it is possible that you may have a claim

for mental anguish. The hotel manager seems pitiful with the excuse about the story already being in the press though and it seems negligent on their part not to provide any warning. They may have violated either state or Clark County law by not disclosing that information.