By NewsDesk @infectiousdiseasenews
Minnesota state health officials report investigating two laboratory-confirmed cases so far among people from unrelated groups who were at the Ramada by Wyndham Albert Lea and spent time in the pool/hot tub area around the last weekend of June.
These people became ill between late June and early July. One was hospitalized and has been discharged; one is still hospitalized. There are reports of additional people with this exposure who are experiencing illnesses that might be Legionnaires’ disease.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is working with the hotel to further determine what the source of the Legionella bacteria might be. At this time, early evidence and past experience suggests the source of the infections might be the hotel’s spa (hot tub). The hotel shut down the spa for maintenance on June 29, and the pool area is closed to guests at this time. MDH staff are working with hotel staff on recommendations to clean and decontaminate the spa and pool area.
MDH investigators said it is possible other cases with links to the hotel could still emerge. “If you spent time at the hotel between June 22 and June 29 and are ill now, or if you develop illness in the two weeks following your visit, please see a health care provider to be evaluated for possible Legionnaires’ disease,” said Kris Ehresmann, director of the infectious disease division at MDH.
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