What to know
- Presentation Day/Time: Friday, April 25, 2:55–4:00 pm
- Presenter: Sarah Gallalee, PhD, MPH, EIS officer assigned to the Virgin Islands Department of Health
What did we do?
- During November 2024, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) was notified of 2 patients with confirmed Legionnaires' Disease (LD) associated with stays at 2 different resorts. We investigated to determine sources of infection and prevent additional cases.
What did we find?
- We identified two additional LD cases, one associated with each resort.
- All four patients were aged 53–73 years, and three were female.
- Two were hospitalized and none died.
- At Resort A, there were three Legionella pneumophila positives from 21 environmental samples; VIDOH required resort A to close one guest room and remediate and retest.
- At Resort B, there were 22 positives from 41 environmental samples; VIDOH required Resort B to cease all hotel operations until remediation and retesting were completed.
- L. pneumophila was isolated in shower samples at both resorts; in cold water at Resort A and in cold and hot water at Resort B.
Why does it matter?
- Although LD outbreaks are more commonly associated with warm water sources, our investigation showed that in USVI with its tropical climate, both cold water and hot water can circulate in the temperature range favorable for Legionella growth (77°–113°F).
- These two unconnected outbreaks showcased the importance of reporting LD in travelers so that local public health can investigate and provide recommendations to prevent additional cases.
Abstract Category: Legionnaires' Disease