2 Las Vegas Hotel Guests Contract Legionnaires’ Disease

LAS VEGAS, NV — Two guests who stayed separately at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this year contracted Legionnaires’ disease, the Southern Nevada Health District said. One of the guests stayed at the hotel in March while the other stayed at the hotel in April.

After the first case of the disease was reported, the hotel arranged for environmental testing of its water system. Health officials said the testing revealed a presence of the Legionella bacteria and the hotel began remediation with chlorine disinfectant.

After the second case was reported, the health district sampled the water system and found Legionella throughout the system.

"The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino and the Health District are working together to conduct remediation and follow up sampling to ensure remediation efforts are effective," a statement from the health department said.

Caesars Entertainment, the parent company of the hotel, said in a statement that guests who are in rooms where remediation actions are being undertaken are being relocated.

"Test results on the water at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino indicated the presence of the legionella bacteria. The company is working closely with the Southern Nevada Health District and taking aggressive remediation actions to ensure the safety of Rio's water," the statement from Caesars said.

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