Hotel Avoids Closure

PathCon Labs was contacted by a hotel that had been informed by the state health department about one reported case of Legionnaires’ disease in a previous guest. Although there was no evidence that the case was associated with the hotel, the management requested that PathCon Labs conduct an investigation for Legionella bacteria. About one week later, the health department contacted the hotel again to inform them that the number of cases had risen to five among previous guests, some of them confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease. They recommended closing the hotel. In response, PathCon Labs presented findings that out of more than 50 samples taken throughout the hotel, only one was positive, the decorative fountain in the hotel lobby. The hotel confirmed that the problem with the fountain had already been corrected. Based on PathCon Labs findings, the health department reported to the news media that the hotel was safe. As a consequence of the prompt and thorough investigation, the hotel was able to avoid being closed by the Health Department.