Fifth case of Legionnaires’ illness verified at Waikiki resort

The condition Department of Well being on Saturday confirmed a fifth situation of Legionnaires’ disorder in a visitor who stayed at the Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Holidays in Waikiki.

The situation was identified May well 23, according to a DOH information release. The specific, who is not a resident of Hawaii, started their stay at the Grand Islander on April 25.

“DOH proceeds to get the job done to make sure that the Grand Islander normally takes motion to remediate the constructing and other possible resources of exposure,” mentioned Point out Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble in a information release. “Individuals who remain at the Grand Islander need to hold these recent circumstances in intellect, and if they have flu-like signs and symptoms following a remain at the resort, really should seek out medical care instantly.”

Wellbeing officers stated the first situation at the Grand Islander was diagnosed in June the 2nd case in early March the 3rd situation on April 2 and the fourth scenario on April 26.

“The Grand Islander proceeds to perform with DOH to make certain that the setting up is remediated. Mitigation steps consist of installing stage-of-use filters in visitor room showers,” the launch said.

“Our leading priority at The Grand Islander is to offer a secure environment for our proprietors, visitors, and group members,” a spokesperson for the firm claimed in a penned assertion. “We have been doing the job carefully with the Hawaii Office of Wellbeing as they perform their investigation. We have also engaged main gurus and under their route and are employing further precautionary actions at The Grand Islander to guarantee our safeguards are in line with very best techniques.”

Legionnaires’ sickness is a variety of pneumonia induced by exposure to Legionella microbes. It is handled with antibiotics and are unable to unfold from man or woman to human being, in accordance to DOH. Legionella microorganisms are generally uncovered in warm freshwater environments but can proliferate and unfold in h2o devices this kind of as showerheads and sink taps, cooling towers, warm tubs and substantial plumbing units.

Most healthy folks uncovered to Legionella microorganisms do not develop Legionnaires’ condition, DOH explained. Individuals at enhanced threat involve people age 50 and older, recent or previous people who smoke, and persons with serious lung ailment, weakened immune procedure, most cancers, or underlying conditions.

Signs or symptoms are very similar to influenza and consist of cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headache. Signs and symptoms generally start inside two to 14 times of publicity.

The Well being Division encourages people today who stayed at the Grand Islander and establish signs or symptoms dependable with Legionella infection to look for health care interest and report the illness to DOH’s Illness Outbreak and Control Division Sickness Reporting Line by mobile phone at 808-586-4586. DOH said these people today really should get analyzed for COVID-19.