Miami Hotel Guest Dies, Others Sickened by Bacteria Contaminated Water; Legionnaires Disease Suspected
The Associated Press reported that some 300 guests at a luxury Miami, Florida hotel have been evacuated following the death of one guest who is believed to have contracted Legionnaire's disease from drinking city-supplied water. Two other guests reportedly became ill.
The Miami Herald reported that on Sunday, guests of the EPIC Hotel were relocated to other nearby facilities to avoid any further spread of what is believe to be Legionnaires' Disease -- also known as Legionellosis and Pontiac Fever. According to the CDC website, Legionnaires' Disease is associated with travel and may occur in hotels or on cruise ships.
Miami, Florida premises liability lawyers are well versed in safety regulations in place to protect hotel guests such as tourists and conference attendees from harm, illness, or personal injury, while staying at or visiting a commercial establishment.
The Miami Herald reported that the Epic Hotel had a water filtration system designed to reduce chlorine in the water, which may have allowed bacteria to grow. The tourist who died from Legionnaire's Disease was European and had stayed at the hotel in September before embarking on a cruise, only to be rushed back to the hospital, where he died. Two other European visitors contracted the disease in November.
The Miami-Dade County Health Department and state officials are investigating. The Herald reported county officials as stating that no action was taken until this month due to "inefficient international communication channels." The Epic hotel was determined to be the common element between the tourist who died and the other two who became sick.
300 hotel guests relocated after bacteria kills 1
Associated Press, Yahoo! News Dec. 14, 2009
Tourist killed by hotel water
MiamiHerald.com Dec. 13, 2009
Related Web Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Legionellosis Resource Site
