Legionnaires' Disease Count At Atlanta Hotel Rises

ATLANTA — The number of people who have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease after staying at a downtown Atlanta hotel has risen to 11, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The Sheraton Atlanta hotel has announced it will remained closed until mid-August, at least.

Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia – lung infection – caused by a bacteria called Legionella. People can get Legionnaires' disease by breathing in aerosolized, or small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria.

Legionella bacteria occur naturally in the environment. Water containing Legionella can be aerosolized through cooling towers, showers, hot tubs and decorative fountains.

"The health and safety of our guests is our greatest priority," said hotel general manager Ken Peduzzi. "We are working closely with public health officials and outside experts to conduct testing to determine if Legionella is present at the hotel. As a result, out of an abundance of caution we have made the decision to close the hotel while we await the results."

Read: Legionnaires' Disease Count Rises To Six At Atlanta Hotel

And: Three Sickened With Legionnaires' Disease At Atlanta Hotel

In late May, the New Jersey Department of Health identified a clusterof 22 Legionnaires' disease cases in New Jersey. Five deaths have been reported. Last month, the Illinois Department of Public Health began investigating four cases of Legionnaires' disease in people who were at an Oak Law, Illinois medical center.