The Minnesota Department of Health announced on July 9 that two cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed among two unrelated groups that stayed at the Ramada by Wyndham Albert Lea in late June.
Both of these groups used the hotel pool and hot tub areas, according to the Minnesota Department of Health, reported The Duluth News Tribune. According to Minnesota Department of Health investigators, early evidence suggests the source of the infections might be the hotel’s hot tub. The department of health staff are working with hotel staff on recommendations to clean and decontaminate the spa and pool area.
According to The Duluth News Tribune, the hotel is working with the health department to resolve the issue and has closed the pool to guests in the meantime, since June 29.
According to the health department, Legionnaires' disease may present in additional hotel guests.
"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 the health department in a Minnesota Department of Health statement.
These people became ill between late June and early July. One was hospitalized and has been discharged, and the other person is still hospitalized, according to the Minnesota Department of Health statement.
The department asked health care providers to watch for any additional patients with symptoms that might indicate Legionnaires’ disease. Symptoms include: fever, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, chills, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and coughing, according to the health department.
