Investigation: Legionnaires’ disease in Laughlin

The Southern Nevada Health District is looking into possible cases of Legionnaires’ disease at Harrah’s Laughlin.

Health officials are directly contacting guests and employees who may have been in certain areas of the hotel during the time of potential exposure. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of lung infection caused by bacteria. Symptoms can feel like pneumonia and may include fever, chills, cough, tiredness, muscle aches, or headaches.

Most people who are exposed do not become sick. People at higher risk include adults over 50, current or former smokers, and individuals with weakened immune systems or certain health conditions. While the illness can be serious, most cases are successfully treated with antibiotics, and healthy individuals typically recover.

The Health District continues to work closely with the hotel to address the situation and to test and treat the water systems as a precaution.