Legionnaires' Outbreak at Vegas Hotel...


LAS VEGAS -- Six guests who have stayed at Las Vegas' ARIA Resort have come down with Legionnaires' disease since the hotel open at the end of 2009. The hotel and Southern Nevada Health District are now contacting 18,000 guests who may have come in contact with the bacteria.

The six guests who came down with the disease stayed at the hotel between December 2009 and April 2011. MGM Resort International officials say they have been testing their water for some time and did find elevated levels of Legionella bacteria in several guest rooms from June 21 to July 4.

All 18,000 guests who stayed at the Las Vegas hotel during that time are being notified. People will typically show symptoms two to 14 days after exposure.

"In an abundance of caution, we are attempting to notify guests who may have been exposed to these bacteria during this short period," said Gordon Absher, MGM Resorts International. The six guests who did contract the disease have all been treated and have recovered.

Vegastripping.com has posted a letter a guest received from the hotel. MGM has also set up a website with information.

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia caused by the bacteria. All subsequent testing after July 4 has come back with no detectable levels of the bacteria, according to Absher.

MGM officials say should someone contract the disease, they will pay for medical treatment.


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