Confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ Disease close Kauai resort
Posted on June 14, 2016 by Sheryl Barr
Source: http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com, June 13, 2016
Two cases of Legionnaires’ Disease have forced the closure of Wyndham Resorts in Kauai.
Wyndham Resorts confirms that it has closed the WorldMark Kapaa Shore Resort as a precaution, after the cases were confirmed by the state Health Department.
Guests were moved to other hotels in the area.
“Recently, the Kapaa Shore Resort received confirmation that the presence of Legionella bacteria was found in two units at the resort,” the resort said, in an emailed statement.
“As a precautionary measure, we are temporarily closing the resort and relocating owners and guests to nearby properties so that we can properly remediate and get the resort back in operation quickly.”
Legionnaires’ Disease is a severe form of pneumonia. Most people get the disease from inhaling the bacteria.
The two people confirmed to have the disease have recovered in their home states and a third possible case is still being investigated, said DOH spokeswoman Janice Okubo.
She said the two people who were confirmed to have the disease stayed at the resort in late April to early May.
The Health Department was told about the cases in mid-May, and reached out to the resort, which brought on an environment consultant.
It’s not clear where the people who got sick picked up the bacteria. Both were older adults.