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2 cases of Legionnaires’ disease at Caesars Palace are being investigated

UPDATE 20:10 — KTNV has received a statement from Caesars Palace.

We are aware that the Southern Nevada Health Department is currently investigating two cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported by guests who stayed at Caesars Palace. We are fully cooperating with the investigation and recent environmental testing has not detected Legionella bacteria. Caesars Palace maintains a robust safety program to minimize the potential for Legionella bacteria to survive in the water systems on its property that meet or exceed industry standards. In addition, we immediately took additional steps to eliminate the presence of trace amounts of Legionella bacteria associated with the two cases investigated by the Southern Nevada Health Department. We are confident in the integrity of our systems and the safety protocols we strictly follow.

Caesar’s Palace

ORIGINAL STORY:
Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino – which occurred six months apart – are currently being investigated by the Southern Nevada Health District.

Both cases involved people who visited Las Vegas and stayed at Caesars Palace shortly before becoming infected. One person stayed in December 2023, the other in June 2024.

Health officials took water samples at the hotel to see if the water was contaminated with the disease. After the first case, all tests were negative, but a test in the second case was positive this month.

“The facility has completed a remediation of the water system and subsequent testing has been negative,” SNHD said in a news release. “The facility is cooperating with the health department’s investigation and steps are being taken to inform guests of the potential exposure and develop ways to minimize risk.”

Symptoms appear within two to ten days of infection and include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headache.

There is no risk for those who stayed at the hotel before July 11 and did not develop symptoms.

Guests who stayed at Caesars Palace from July 11, 2024 to July 24, 2024 and experienced symptoms up to 14 days after their stay can report their illness here.

According to the SNHD, people at increased risk of developing the disease include:

  • People aged 50 and over
  • Current or former smokers
  • People with chronic lung disease
  • People with weakened immune systems
  • People taking medications that can weaken their immune system (after a transplant or chemotherapy)
  • People with underlying diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver failure