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Downtown Atlanta hotel closed after 3 confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease

The downtown Atlanta Sheraton Hotel where three people possibly caught Legionnaires' disease. The Georgia Department of Health closed the hotel until further notice.

 

ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Health is investigating three confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease from a downtown Atlanta hotel.

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The Sheraton Hotel has been closed until further notice.

A number of guests complained about lung problems after a convention a couple weeks ago.

"It's concerning. No one wants to go on vacation and come back sick," said Marilyn Wilson, who made her reservations at the hotel months ago for her family reunion.

Legionnaires' disease is a type of lung infection that is caused by bacteria that live in warm water. You get it by breathing in affected water droplets and there are many ways to be exposed.

“Showerheads, hot tubs, perhaps even some outbreaks in the past have been associated with decorative fountains,” state epidemiologist Cherie Drenzek said.

The state is working with the Fulton County Board of Health, the hotel and environmental specialists.

"They have a beautiful swimming pool and it's shut down right now. They say they're working on the filtration system. Maybe they haven't made the linkage," Drenzek said.

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