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The Virgin Islands Department of Health (DOH) has been working closely with a team of specialists from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor remediation measures at two local resorts, following an investigation into past cases of Legionella bacteria contamination.
Acting Commissioner Dr. Mercedes K.C. Dullum said Monday that the investigation, requested by local Health officials upon notification by the CDC, was initiated to explore a possible connection to five cases of Legionnaires’ disease reported to the CDC from past guests of Marriott’s Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort, as well as the Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove, during the period between March 2010 and August 2011. All of the five past guests have since recovered.
A team of CDC specialists initially conducted tests at the resorts over a four-day period in October and the properties were alerted of the possible Legionella bacteria contamination. Subsequently, each property was notified by the Department of Health of the CDC’s conclusive findings on November 3, 2011, with orders to immediately commence remediation processes to include cleansing, superheating, chlorinating, and the hiring of a private consultant experienced in the elimination of Legionella from building water systems. Upon guidance from the CDC, the Department of Health had to monitor the situation to ensure the attainment of full remediation.
Full remediation occurs when no additional instances of Legionella bacteria are identified via a certified retesting process during a monitoring period that could last from less than a month to six months. The Department also requested that the resorts notify others who might potentially be affected,
including employees and guests. There have been no reports of employees being affected at either site.
The Department of Health, as part of the remediation process, has been notified by Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort that it hired a consultant, who led a cleaning project of affected areas and the treatment of the water system. The test results show no existence of Legionella bacteria. They have not yet been independently evaluated by the CDC.
Frenchman’s Cove has also hired a consultant with a major threshold in its remediation efforts set to commence this week.
Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person and the majority of people exposed to the bacteria do not get sick.
“While it cannot be spread from one person to the next, there is a zero tolerance policy for Legionella bacteria,” Dr. Dullum said.
Legionnaires' disease (LEE-juh-nares) is caused by a type of bacteria called Legionella. Each year, between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the U.S. However, many infections are not diagnosed or reported, so this number may be higher. More illness is usually found in the summer and early fall, but it can happen any time of year.
During 2000-2009, a total of 22,418 cases of Legionella were reported to CDC between the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The crude national incidence rate increased 192%, from 0.39 per 100,000 persons in 2000 to 1.15 in 2009.
Control methods are available for eradicating Legionella colonies and preventing recolonization of the water distribution system.
“Safeguarding the public’s health, including that of employees and guests, from exposure and threats are of the utmost importance to the Department of Health,” Dr. Dullum said. “DOH will continue to monitor this situation with assistance from the CDC. People should not be discouraged from traveling to or within the U. S. Virgin Islands.”
For more information on Legionnaires’ disease visit the CDC website www.cdc.gov. For all other inquiries please contact the Department of Health’s Division of Public Health Preparedness at 773-1311, Ext. 3171. |
