Been To Memphis This Summer? This Hotel May Have Exposed 6,000 People To Legionnaires' Disease

MEMPHIS, TN — The Shelby County Health Department is trying to track down anyone who stayed at the LaQuinta Inn on Millbranch Road in Memphis between July 1 and September 22 of this year.

The health department linked the hotel to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease and believes as many as 6,000 people may have been exposed.

Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches, and headaches. Symptoms can last between two and 14 days after exposure. Many who are exposed remain asymptomatic.

Symptomatic or not, anyone who stayed at the hotel during the time of exposure is asked to call SCHD Investigation Hotline at 901-222-9299.

A severe type of pneumonia, Legionnaires' disease is typically contracted by breathing in the mist of water contaminated with the bacteria, usually through ventilation systems.

Image via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Public Health Library