Latest news with #LegionnairesDisease
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Dad-of-two placed into coma after Turkey holiday as chef, 55, ‘caught rare disease from dirty 4-star hotel'
A DAD-OF-TWO has claimed he nearly died after contracting a rare disease from a "dirty" 4-star hotel. Richard Moore, 55, began to suffer from a fever and chest pains after returning from a holiday in Turkey with partner Julie, 50. 6 6 Richard, a chef, became so ill that he had to be rushed to hospital and placed into an induced coma. His wife and kids were told by medical staff that he may not survive the ordeal. Doctors confirmed he was suffering from potentially deadly Legionnaires' disease, Richard needed five days of intense hospital treatment which included antibiotics and an IV drip. Richard, of Blyth, Northumberland, said: "This holiday was meant to be a short break before I started a new job as an executive chef. "Instead, it cost me my dream job, my health and very nearly my life. "As a result of the memory loss, I can't recall much of my time in hospital, but when I was admitted, I remember the fear and not knowing what was wrong. "I'm lucky to be alive but it's so upsetting to think my family were told I might not live. "I never realised Legionnaires' disease was so serious and I want to tell my story to make other people aware of the symptoms and the dangers. "I wouldn't want to think that other people were going off on a holiday unaware of what they could be walking into. "If there are issues with the hotel then that needs looking at urgently. "I feel fortunate to have pulled through. However, I do worry that someone else might not be as lucky as I was." Richard and his family paid £2,000 to stay at the four-star Champion Holiday Village in Kemer, Turkey. After arriving at the hotel on August 18 last year, Richard said he thought the hotel was dirty, old and dated. He also noticed that the room felt damp and had a grim fusty smell. 6 He said: "I can't specifically pinpoint to one thing but the water temperature fluctuated a lot in the shower. "The bathroom and hotel generally looked run down and the sofa in hotel room beneath the air con felt damp throughout the holiday which made me think it was leaking." Days after returning to the UK, Richard began suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. On August 30 he developed chest pains, a shortness of breath and a fever and was rushed to hospital for treatment. He spent a whole month in hospital and has been unable to start at his new job as an executive chef. Richard still struggles with lethargy, weakness and mobility issues linked to Legionnaires' disease. He has now instructed travel illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of his Legionnaires' disease. 6 6 Jennifer Hodgson, representing Richard, said: "Richard's first-hand account of his experience at the hotel and contracting his illness is deeply disturbing. "Legionnaires' disease is an incredibly serious condition, and it can take several days from coming into contact with Legionella bacteria before symptoms of the illness start to appear. "As Richard has since discovered, the effects of the disease can be long-term. "Nothing can make up for the impact the illness has had and continues to have on Richard, but we're determined to provide him with the answers and specialist support he deserves. "Public buildings, such as hotels and offices, can have complex water systems, so it's vital that all precautions are taken to prevent the bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease developing. "As part of our work and to assist with our investigations, we would be keen to hear from anyone else who may also have been affected by illness whilst staying at the Champion Holiday Village Hotel, Turkey."
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean warns cruisers about deadly disease
These days, most people understand the general risk of illness that comes with bringing a large number of people together into a semi-enclosed space like a cruise ship. Many people don't realize though that cruise ship hot tub use can potentially increase their risk of becoming ill from a disease that isn't spread through person-to-person the last couple of years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working to educate cruise lines about the increased risk for Legionella bacteria growth in private-balcony hot tubs. When Legionella bacteria grows in hot tub water systems, it can be transmitted to hot tub users through inhaled water droplets. In some cases, cruise passengers exposed to the bacteria later become sick with Legionnaires' disease, a severe type of pneumonia. Although rare, Legionnaires' disease is a growing health concern for cruise passengers because private-balcony hot tubs have become a popular amenity on many newer cruise ships. Since private-balcony hot tubs aren't used as often as public ones, their maintenance requirements typically aren't as strict, which can create conditions favorable for Legionella bacteria the last few months, Royal Caribbean has been notifying passengers on multiple cruises about a recent case of Legionnaires' disease, according to an unofficial fan blog not affiliated with the cruise line. 'The CDC has advised that while they are unsure where exposed, a guest who recently sailed on Symphony of the Seas was later diagnosed with Legionella,' Royal Caribbean informed passengers. Royal Caribbean sent a similar notification to Symphony of the Seas' passengers in January after two other passengers fell ill with the disease after sailing on the ship in late of the Seas is not the only cruise ship to be associated with the disease, however. In October 2024, the CDC reported that it was notified of 12 cases of Legionnaires' disease among travelers sailing on two cruise ships from separate cruise lines between November 2022 and June 2024. Their investigation linked both cruise ship Legionnaires' disease outbreaks to private-balcony hot important for cruisers to know that private-balcony hot tubs are more likely to experience Legionella growth than public hot tubs found in common areas because they are not required to be disinfected as frequently as public ones. The CDC has been working to ensure that cruise lines understand the hot tub features that increase the risk for Legionella growth and transmission, and how cruise lines can adapt maintenance and operations protocols to reduce that risk. 'Royal Caribbean is working hard to protect the health of guests and crew onboard Symphony of the Seas,' the cruise line assured passengers in its recent Legionnaires' disease notification emails. The cruise line informed passengers that it stepped up its sanitation efforts as a precautionary measure and followed all CDC most healthy people who are exposed to Legionella do not get sick, some people are at an increased risk including current and former smokers, adults over 50, and people with specific health issues or conditions. Legionnaires' disease symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. 'If you experience these symptoms and have concerns, please reach out to your preferred medical professional,' the cruise line urged. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Is the Grossest Part of a Cruise Ship, According to the CDC
Private hot tubs in cruise ship staterooms were found to be the source of disease outbreak by the CDC. Hot tubs on guests' private balconies caused 12 separate causes of Legionnaire's disease. The private hot tubs weren't subject to the same cleaning standards as public ones on board, leading to rapid bacteria growth.A private hot tub on your cruise ship balcony might seem like the ultimate luxury, but beware: they can be incubators of a severe respiratory disease, according to the CDC. In October 2024, the CDC released a study about outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease aboard cruise ships, contracting specifically from the private hot tubs in travellers' cabins. Between November 2022 and June 2024, the CDC was notified of 12 separate cases of Legionnaires' disease clustered around two separate cruise ships. Ten cases were serious enough that the travelers needed to be hospitalized. The CDC investigated, and it soon became apparent that the root of the outbreaks were private hot tubs. '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 CDC's report states. 'These devices are subject to less stringent operating requirements than are public hot tubs, and operating protocols were insufficient to prevent Legionella growth.' Legionnaires' disease is a serious pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. The temperature of hot tubs creates a perfect petri dish for the bacteria, and if they are not cleaned and disinfected properly after use, hot tubs can be a dangerous incubator of Legionella. Before this report, private hot tubs were not required to be cleaned with the same stringency as public hot tubs according to CDC guidelines. Related | CDC Cuts Impacted Cruise Ship Health Inspectors—Here's What It Means for Travelers | Learn More 'Hot tubs can be a source of Legionella growth and transmission when they are inadequately maintained and operated. 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,' a CDC spokesperson said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure. Cruise ship travelers should be aware of the risks of private hot tubs, and make sure that they are well-cleaned and disinfected before using them. 'Travelers can also use test strips to test hot tub water to find out if the hot tub is being properly operated,' the CDC spokesperson said in their statement. If travelers develop any respiratory symptoms, it's important to report them to the cruise ship authorities as quickly as possible. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
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. 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. '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. 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.
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Travel + Leisure
09-05-2025
- Health
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the Grossest Part of a Cruise Ship, According to the CDC
A private hot tub on your cruise ship balcony might seem like the ultimate luxury, but beware: they can be incubators of a severe respiratory disease, according to the CDC. In October 2024, the CDC released a study about outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease aboard cruise ships, contracting specifically from the private hot tubs in travellers' cabins. Between November 2022 and June 2024, the CDC was notified of 12 separate cases of Legionnaires' disease clustered around two separate cruise ships. Ten cases were serious enough that the travelers needed to be hospitalized. The CDC investigated, and it soon became apparent that the root of the outbreaks were private hot tubs. '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 CDC's report states. 'These devices are subject to less stringent operating requirements than are public hot tubs, and operating protocols were insufficient to prevent Legionella growth.' Legionnaires' disease is a serious pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. The temperature of hot tubs creates a perfect petri dish for the bacteria, and if they are not cleaned and disinfected properly after use, hot tubs can be a dangerous incubator of Legionella. Before this report, private hot tubs were not required to be cleaned with the same stringency as public hot tubs according to CDC guidelines. 'Hot tubs can be a source of Legionella growth and transmission when they are inadequately maintained and operated. 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,' a CDC spokesperson said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure . Cruise ship travelers should be aware of the risks of private hot tubs, and make sure that they are well-cleaned and disinfected before using them. 'Travelers can also use test strips to test hot tub water to find out if the hot tub is being properly operated,' the CDC spokesperson said in their statement. If travelers develop any respiratory symptoms, it's important to report them to the cruise ship authorities as quickly as possible.
