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Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
The sweeping forms of Aria are visible from a two-bedroom apartment at Veer Towers at CityCenter.
By Jackie Valley (contact) 
Published Thursday, July 14, 2011 | 10:45 a.m.
Updated Thursday, July 14, 2011 | 3:21 p.m.
Six cases of Legionnaires' disease among guests who recently stayed at Aria have prompted the resort to alert other guests that they were possibly exposed to the bacteria.
"In cooperation with the Southern Nevada Health District, Aria Resort is contacting guests who may have stayed with us from June 21 to July 4 at a time when water tests detected elevated levels of Legionella bacteria in several of our guest rooms," Aria officials wrote in a letter to guests.
Southern Nevada Health District spokeswoman Stephanie Bethel said the six cases of the sometimes-deadly form of pneumonia were reported by the Centers for Disease Control. Bethel says all six people were treated and have recovered.
After the health district contacted Aria, resort officials began notifying other guests, and its facilities team added precautionary measures to ward off the bacteria.
Active Legionella bacteria wasn't detected during the most recent tests in various locations at Aria, resort officials said. The resort didn't specify when those tests were conducted.
"We will continue to monitor our water quality on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety of the water system and our guests," Paul Berry, vice president of hotel operations, wrote in the letter to guests.
In the letter, Berry noted that Legionella bacteria is a concern for all large buildings, but Aria has a "comprehensive water management program in place, which includes regular testing."
Southern Nevada’s chief health officer, Lawrence Sands, indicated Legionella bacteria might have been present at Aria more than a year ago.
In an email to health district officials Thursday, Sands wrote that officials investigated in spring 2010 after receiving initial reports about the illness. The investigation, however, did not reveal any increased risk for the bacteria.
More recently, the health district found Legionella bacteria in Aria’s hot water system when more reports surfaced recently that several former Aria guests contracted the illness, Sands wrote.
“Based on the time frame and travel history of the patients, as well as the sampling that was done, it was determined the source of the infection and illness transmission occurred at the property,” he wrote.
This isn’t a Strip property’s first brush with the potentially serious bacterial disease. In 2008, the health district issued a warning after four guests staying at the Polo Towers contracted Legionnaires’ disease.
The infected guests stayed at the Polo Towers in October and November 2007 and August and September 2008. All four recovered.
People exposed to the bacteria can develop symptoms within two to 14 days. Those symptoms include high fever, chills, coughing, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches.
Health officials said people with a chronic illness, respiratory disease or compromised immune system are more susceptible to the disease, in addition to smokers and the elderly. The disease is not communicable, meaning it cannot be spread from one person to another.
Aria created a page on its website that included the letter sent to guests, as well as answers to "frequently asked questions." The resort said guests with additional questions could call 1-877-326-ARIA.
My name is Derek and I work for MGM Resorts. We created a website that includes more information about this issue. Please go to www.AriaLasVegas.com/Facts for more information and the latest updates.
Hopefully they get this cleared up quickly as it will have a huge impact on the vacancy rate. This is a disease you don't want to mess with, best wishes for those that work there and the ones exposed to this.
The curse of "The Dunes" is still alive and well. Harmon, Aria, and empty condominiums at City Center make my day. If there wasn't for the tons of steel and concrete to remove I would say bring back my favorite golf course.
Between the violence telegraphed by another Metro killing, to this.
..this could hurt an already struggling Vegas, especially among the more civilized European and Asian tourists.
That Internet Gossip monger now
has posted a story about this.
Holy Moly, Rocky...
This is NOT what the Aria NOR the City of Las Paradise needs.
Something the article does not explain. Many of you have this same problem in your home to a small degree.
This is not as uncommon as many think.
Most homes would not even pass a health inspection that hotels or food service has to go through each year.
Aria aka MGM Company got right on it and it is a non-issue.
Those symptoms could also be due to receiving their cc statements after they returned home. $8 for water, $150 to watch Elvis videos, $20 resort fees etc.
"symptoms include high fever, chills, coughing, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches"
I'm glad we have government employees that have acted on this before it was too late.
""symptoms include high fever, chills, coughing, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches"
And death.
"And death."
Only if you are old or immune-compromised. And in that case you will not be missed, we don't need ya.
Paul,
Death is not a symptom, it is the result. ;-)
This should be great for tourism... Hope none of this makes its to the buffets, you could have a serious issue on your hands.
We were at Aria from July 6-9 and it was awesome! The pool scene was not our scene since we are married and not there to hook up. Our only suggestion is for them to have a couple's pool, with no kids! The staff were wonderful, very service oriented, and totally dedicated to the customer. The rest of Las Vegas could take a lesson from them.
so you have a hangover and indigestion, or is it Legionnaires? whats the difference? Go get hammered again and that will kill it off. Use plenty of vodka.
The Center For Disease Control has shifted.
Govenor Sandoval's budget cuts have cut needed medical and public health programs, a false economy. The GOVO.2 should resign.
i stayed at aria from july 2 to july 7th...i know they have my email address, and i havent heard one word from aria about this.
on a positive note, i have stayed in just about every hotel on the strip multiple times and i have to say the staff at aria were the most polite and helpful bunch i have encountered. i truly think they are greatful to have jobs.
First the Playboy Mansion, now Aria? Can't the wealthy ever get a break?
If you or a loved one were affected by the recent outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at the Las Vegas Aria - you may qualify for a large cash settlement - please contact our law offices at "
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More bad news! They're doing the right thing getting the info out there. Covering it up would only make it worse.
Legionnaires' disease
has nothing to do with management, design or anything else which is under influence of the hotel itself. It just sometimes happens in big buildings with large watersuplies (not moving water). It happens in hospitals, goverment buildings and other big structures with lots of water.
Keep in mind that Legionnaire's disease is not contagious: http://www.cdc.gov/legionella/patient_fa...
Create more local jobs and tear down this monstrosity.