Updated: 08/24/2011 12:58PM PST
A message from ARIA:
While it is our policy to not comment on litigation, we have been very careful to communicate with each of our guests regarding this issue. To answer any questions, we have representatives standing by for both Domestic and International callers at 1-877-326-ARIA (2742).
In cooperation with the Southern Nevada Health District, ARIA Resort is contacting guests who may have stayed with us from June 21 to July 4 at a time when water tests detected elevated levels of Legionella bacteria in several of our guest rooms.
Health officials have recently notified us of a few reported instances of guests who visited ARIA, were diagnosed with, treated for, and recovered from Legionnaires' disease (a form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria). In an abundance of caution, we are attempting to notify guests who may have been exposed to these bacteria during this short period.
ARIA has in place a water treatment program and, once the initial tests were received, we immediately implemented a comprehensive abatement effort. All subsequent tests have come back with no detectable levels of active Legionella.
If anyone has further questions, we have representatives standing by for both Domestic and International callers at 1-877-326-ARIA (2742).
Important Facts About Legionella:
- Legionella is naturally occurring in nature, found in most water supplies and only causes illness when breathed in as a mist or vapor.
- Most people exposed to Legionella do not get sick.
- Legionella can cause a respiratory illness similar to pneumonia. Most cases can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
- Symptoms of Legionellosis can include high fever, chills, cough, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches.
- Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
- Some people in certain categories can be at higher risk of infection due to a chronic illness, respiratory disease, or compromised immune system or if they are a smoker or elderly.
- Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics. Healthy people usually recover from infection.
- The bacteria are NOT spread from one person to another person. You cannot catch it from another person. A person diagnosed with Legionellosis is not a threat to family members or others who share office space or other areas with him or her.
- If a former guest has developed any combination of these symptoms, we encourage them to see their doctor.
- Legionella is a concern for all large buildings – hotels, hospitals, schools – with large common water systems.
- ARIA has an ongoing, comprehensive water management program in place, which includes regular testing for Legionella. After recent elevated test results, ARIA implemented additional precautionary measures – superheating and chemical treatment of water systems.
- Most recent test results show no detectible level of active Legionella present in any of the locations tested. We continue to work with the Southern Nevada Health District to monitor ongoing test results.
- Additional information on Legionella is available on the Southern Nevada Health District website, www.SNHD.info, or by calling the Health District's information line, (702) 759-INFO (4636) or toll free (866) 767-5038.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What should I do if I recently stayed at or visited ARIA and have illness symptoms?
If you start to feel ill, contact a doctor. If your doctor feels it is necessary, they may run a test to determine the cause of any illness and if it is from Legionella. Most healthy people are successfully treated for Legionellosis with antibiotics.
- What precautionary measures do you have in place so that this doesn't happen again?
ARIA has a comprehensive water management program in place, which includes regular testing for Legionella. After recent elevated test results, ARIA implemented additional precautionary measures including superheating and chemical treatment of water systems.
Most recent test results at ARIA show no detectible level of active Legionella present in any of the locations tested. We continue to work closely with the Southern Nevada Health District to monitor ongoing test results.
Water features and Air Conditioning systems at ARIA have been tested and produced clean results.
- Where can I go for more information about Legionnaires' disease?
Contact your doctor or the Southern Nevada Health District website at http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/health-topics/legionellosis.php, or by calling the Health District's information line, (702) 759-INFO (4636) or toll free at (866) 767-5038.
- Is Legionnaires' disease contagious?
The bacteria are NOT spread from one person to another person. You cannot catch it from another person. A person diagnosed with Legionellosis is not a threat to family members or others who share office space or other areas with him or her.
- Do you know which rooms were contaminated?
We are aware that several guest rooms registered elevated levels of the bacteria, but testing on those rooms have since showed no reason for any concern. We have taken measures to eliminate high levels of the bacteria throughout our entire building. Results of ongoing testing shows no levels of Legionella. We will continue to work with Southern Nevada Health District to monitor and conduct future testing.
- How many people got sick?
We don't know. We have been told that a few people who got sick may have been exposed to the bacteria at ARIA. But we haven't received any complaints from customers.
- When did these people become sick?
In an abundance of caution, we are attempting to notify guests who may have been exposed to these bacteria during this short period, from June 21 to July 4.
- Was the elevated bacteria found at other hotels on the City Center campus such as Vdara or Mandarin?
No the elevated results were only found at the ARIA Resort and Casino. Current tests at ARIA show no elevated levels of the bacteria.
- Who can I call at ARIA for questions regarding this notice?
Domestic and International callers please call 1-877-326-ARIA (2742) to speak directly with our staff about this issue.
Letter from Southern Nevada Health District:
