Legionnaires’ link found

Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2001 | 11:31 a.m.

A bacteria culture taken from a former guest of Polo Towers who later developed Legionnaires' disease was identical to samples collected from the property, health officials said today.

"The fact that the bacteria is the same strain is telling," said Rose Bell, head of epidemiology for the Clark County Health District. "You're not going to have an identical match happen unless there's a relationship between the patient and the source."

Three people were diagnosed with the disease earlier this year. Only one patient's bacteria sample was saved and could be tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The identities of the three people have been guarded -- not even Polo Towers executives have been told.

Health district workers found traces of the legionella bacteria complex in a water heater and a rooftop spa in Tower 2 of the time-share condominiums on Las Vegas Boulevard. Health officials would not say if the matching bacteria came from the water heater or the spa or both.

It's fairly common to find forms of the legionella bacteria in water sources, and the presence of the bacteria doesn't automatically mean someone will contract the disease, health officials said.

Legionnaires' disease usually spreads through contaminated water sources and causes flu-like symptoms, including fevers and coughing. Some patients develop pneumonia, which often spurs doctors to request more sophisticated tests to determine the cause, the CDC reports.

All three people were hospitalized and have since recovered. There are anywhere from 8,000 and 18,000 cases of the disease each year in the United States and between 5 percent and 30 percent of those infected die. Most cases are treated successfully with antibiotics. The disease is named for an outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia in 1976.

An independent consulting firm hired by Polo Towers has been swarming over the property double-checking all water supplies and ensuring that the bacteria has been flushed.

Stephen Cloobeck, chief executive of Polo Towers, voluntarily shut down the floors served by the water heater where the bacteria was found. About 300 guests have been moved and the other two towers, which have independent operating systems, are at full occupancy, Cloobeck said.

Because the legionella bacteria thrives in warm, stagnant water, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommends storing hot water at 140 degrees and circulating it at 124 degrees. But the health district doesn't allow hot water settings above 120 degrees because of the potential for scalding.

"It's kind of a tough call," said Paul Larsen, attorney for the Polo Towers. "On one hand you want to kill the bacteria, on the other the health district will cite you if the water's too hot."

Larsen said Polo Towers is investigating raising the water temperature and installing anti-scalding devices on all shower heads and faucets, although the cost of such an endeavor may be prohibitive.

Relations between Polo Towers executives and health district workers were smoother Tuesday after a closed-door meeting with County Commissioner Erin Kenny.

Cloobeck, who openly criticized the health district for distributing fliers to his guests Saturday, said Tuesday he is now satisfied with how the investigation is being handled.

"For the benefit of my guests and my employees I think we should put it behind us," Cloobeck said.

County health officials defended their decision to hand out the fliers, saying they only took such an extraordinary measure after Polo Towers failed to notify its guests and staff in writing about the dangers of Legionnaires' disease.

Kenny said she began Tuesday's meeting by asking everyone to stay focused on the actual Legionnaires' investigation and not get bogged down by Saturday's episode.

"We need to let the public know with assurance and confidence what we're doing about the situation," Kenny said. "I encouraged everyone to put aside any finger-pointing."

"I think everyone is on the same page now," Larsen said. "We've all agreed to go forward in a cooperative and professional manner."