Latest news with #Legionnaires
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The dirtiest area of a cruise revealed - and it's NOT the toilets
Whether it's watching the sun set over the horizon, waking up in a new port every day or tucking into a hearty buffet each evening, cruise holidays are generally an idyllic way to travel. But unfortunately they can also be a hotbed for germs. And cruise holidaymakers might be surprised to learn that one of the most luxurious parts of the cruise ship can also often be the dirtiest. The USA'S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that two outbreaks of Legionnaires' Disease on cruise ships were linked to private balcony hot tubs. The unpleasant disease is a lung infection that people can get if they inhale droplets of water containing the bacteria that causes Legionnaires'. Symptoms include a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, a high temperature and flu-like feelings. Germ expert and microbiologist Jason Tetro told Reader's Digest that hot tubs are 'in essence' a 'three dimensional petri dish'. He explained: 'All bacteria need three things: a nice warm place to grow, plenty of water and organic material they can use for food.' Hot tubs tend to provide all three of these factors, making them much more germ prone than tourists might think. And private hot tubs are generally more likely to put holidaymakers at risk. Jeff explained that these type of tubs may not 'undergo the same level of testing or disinfection as the public ones'. The CDC has advised cruise holidaymakers to ask their cruise crew a couple of questions before taking a dip. CDC questions to ask your cruise operator
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Honoring fallen heroes with Memorial Day Program
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — While for some people Memorial Day just means a three day weekend, for others it's a time to remember those who died while serving our country. Donald Metcalf spent his Monday morning at the Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls. 'There's a long weekend for camping and barbecuing, but the primary reason is to remember our fallen heroes,' attendee Donald Metcalf said. TikTok bidder: South Dakota 'certainly the front-runner' It was something he thought was important to do. 'I am just here to support our fallen heroes. I mean, that's kind of the biggest thing. It's what the country is founded on. So pretty, pretty excited to just remember them in that way,' Metcalf said. Metcalf was one of many that gathered for the Memorial Day Program. 'We've got the brass quartet playing right now this morning. We'll have the singing Legionnaires here. Doug Starr, who's a World War Two veteran, will be the keynote speaker. Laying of the wreath ceremony honoring the prisoners of war to the missing in action people. There's several different speakers and tributes that'll be happening here,' Executive Director SD Military Heritage Alliance, Brian Phelps said. LIST: Memorial Day events in South Dakota The service acts as a reminder of those who died while fighting for our country. 'A lot of people are losing track of Memorial Day. You know, back obviously coming out of World War one, World War two, Korea, Vietnam, where we lost a lot of soldiers in those conflicts. You know, those were you know, 60, 70, 80 years ago wars that we were in. Nowadays people are losing track of all those that lost,' Phelps said. 'It takes all of us to make this nation go around. But, a lot of them gave it all. Every every bit of it. And I think it's important to remember that,' Metcalf said. Following the Memorial Day Service, the VA hosted a ceremony at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
09-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Don't splash out for this coveted cruise ship extra — it's a breeding ground for disease, experts warn
Cruising toward disaster? Cruise ship passengers splash out big bucks for private hot tubs in their own staterooms all the time — but the Center for Disease Control is warning against the exclusive amenity, calling them a bubbling breeding ground for Legionnaires' disease. In a damning statement reported on by Travel + Leisure, the CDC linked 12 cases of the severe pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria to private hot tubs on two cruise ships between November 2022 and June 2024. 3 In a scathing October 2024 report, the CDC connected 12 cases of Legionnaires' disease to private hot tubs on two cruise ships from November 2022 to June 2024. Photographer: Losevsky Pavel Ten passengers were hospitalized in those incidents. 'Epidemiologic, environmental, and laboratory evidence suggests that private balcony hot tubs were the likely source of exposure in two outbreaks of Legionnaires disease among cruise ship passengers,' the shocking report notes. 'These devices are subject to less stringent operating requirements than are public hot tubs, and operating protocols were insufficient to prevent Legionella growth.' Unlike public hot tubs, private hot tubs weren't required to meet certain rigorous cleaning standards, according to insiders. Hot tubs can be a source of Legionella growth and transmission when they are inadequately maintained and operated, a CDC spokesperson told T+L. 3 Private hot tubs weren't held to the same strict cleaning rules as public ones — until now. Hot tubs can be a source of Legionella when inadequately maintained, a CDC spokesperson told Travel + Leisure. serg3d 'It is important for cruise ship operators to inventory hot tub–style devices across their fleets, evaluate the design features that increase the risk for Legionella growth and transmission, and test for Legionella,' they told the outlet. For cruise-goers, the CDC advises testing the cleanliness of the hot tub before use. 'Travelers can use test strips to test hot tub water to find out if the hot tub is being properly operated,' the CDC spokesperson added. 3 Norovirus — the cruise ship scourge — is also back with a vengeance. The new GII.17 strain has driven nearly 80% of 2,400 U.S. cases since last summer, per the CDC. u4219699853 Meanwhile, Legionnaires isn't the only unwelcome guest on deck. Norovirus — a notorious cruise ship nemesis — is also making waves. This year, a new strain called GII.17 has fueled a surge in outbreaks, accounting for nearly 80% of the 2,400 reported norovirus cases in the U.S. since last summer, according to the CDC. 'It's new to the population,' Lee-Ann Jaykus, a food microbiologist and virologist at North Carolina State University, recently told the Associated Press. Most people don't have immunity to the germ, so it can spread more widely, she explained. And it spreads fast. People infected with norovirus typically shed 'literally billions of viral particles,' Donald Schaffner, a food safety expert at Rutgers University, said, per the AP. 'And it only takes a few viral particles to make someone sick,' he informed the news agency company. If you see someone vomiting, Schaffner suggests, 'immediately walk away from them, ideally into the wind.' Adding insult to injury, the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program — the watchdog that inspects cruise ships and investigates outbreaks — recently lost key staffers due to federal budget cuts. 'If you want to have no disease outbreaks, all you have to do is fire all the epidemiologists,' Schaffner quipped. 'And there'll be no one there to investigate.' So, next time you book a cruise, consider skipping the hot tub — or at least bring your own test strips and plenty of soap.
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Elevated levels of legionella bacteria found at Maryland Dept. of Human Services Biddle Street office
Elevated levels of legionella bacteria were detected at the Maryland Department of Human Services Biddle Street office complex, the land Department of Human Services said Thursday. Officials discovered the bacteria after proactive water supply testing that began in January. Test results received on April 25 prompted immediate remediation efforts, including shock chlorination and flushing of the water system. Building remains open while remediation continues The department said it has turned off the water at all locations with elevated levels of legionella bacteria. "The safety of our team and visitors are our highest priority, which is why we are testing our buildings and taking any positive results seriously," the department said in a statement. The department also said it is providing hand sanitizer throughout the building and the landlord is supplying bottled water during the remediation process. Officials confirmed the building will remain open for services to Baltimore residents while remediation continues. Legionella presence at other Baltimore City buildings Between December 2024 and February 2025, elevated levels of legionella were detected twice, at the same three Baltimore City courthouses, according to the mayor's office. Officials said aging plumbing infrastructure could be the reason for the recurring legionella reports. In response, the city said it implemented proactive water quality checks across multiple downtown facilities and installed new mechanical systems that use ammonium salt and stabilized chlorine solutions to prevent bacterial regrowth. No confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in connection with any of the incidents. What is Legionnaires disease? Legionnaires' disease, is a bacterial infection caused by Legionella bacteria. Fortunately, legionnaires can't be spread from person to person. In order to contract it, you must come into contact with droplets of water or mist containing the bacteria. Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia characterized by symptoms such as cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches, and digestive issues like nausea or diarrhea.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Legionnaire's disease reported in Miami Valley resident: What to know
TROY, Ohio (WDTN) — A resident of a local healthcare facility has tested positive for Legionnaire's Disease. The Troy Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center has reported one resident tested positive for Legionnaire's Disease on Feb. 24, according to our partners at the Miami Valley Today. Dayton high school goes viral after photos of bathroom gate shared on social media Troy Rehab says that resident is currently being treated for the disease. Legionnaire's is a type of pneumonia that can be caught by breathing in small water droplets containing Legionella bacteria. The disease is not spread person-to-person like the common cold. Instead, it spreads from man-made water sources like pipes or showers. This is the second case of Legionnaires at the Troy facility in just a few months. Another resident also tested positive in December of last year. Troy Rehab says they do not believe the cases are connected. 'Although the Legionella may not have originated at Troy Rehab, normal procedure in these instances is to test our water system,' said April Steinberg, Troy Rehab administrator. 'We have brought in an independent laboratory group to conduct water tests to scan for the bacteria throughout the facility. If found, we will undertake a treatment plan to disinfect the system, kill any Legionella, and prevent more from growing.' Miami County Public Health confirms they will be doing an inspection of the facility. 'A group from the Miami County Public Health will be doing an inspection, walk-through tour of the facility, look at the utilities and look for any possible problems,' Nate Bednar, MCPH director of community services, said to Miami Valley Today. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
