Recent News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 13, 2018

Contact:
Office of Public Information
MediaInfo@health.mo.gov

JEFFERSON CITY - In consultation with experts at the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is advising the public of a possible health concern for individuals that may have been in contact with a water source within the St. Louis Marriott West Hotel on or after October 1, 2018. The facility is located at 660 Maryville Centre Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141.

DHSS has determined that two unassociated individuals were diagnosed in October and November with Legionnaires' disease, who also stayed at the St. Louis Marriott West during the same time period.  People can get Legionnaires' disease, a serious type of pneumonia, by breathing in small water droplets containing Legionella germs.  In general, people do not spread Legionnaires' disease to other people.

In response to this information, DHSS, with the full cooperation of St. Louis Marriott West management, is conducting an investigation.  No testing results have found Legionella germs in samples taken from the site.  Test results are pending. We do not know whether the hotel was the source of the germs that caused the two people to become sick.  The investigation is ongoing.

DHSS is actively working to help prevent additional people from becoming sick.  We believe the risk of Legionnaires' disease is low. Your individual risk may increase if you are 50 years or older, smoke cigarettes, or have certain medical conditions, such as a weakened immune system.

If you developed symptoms of pneumonia within two weeks of staying at St. Louis Marriott West, seek medical attention right away. Pneumonia symptoms typically include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches. Additional symptoms may be present, such as headache, confusion, nausea, or diarrhea.  Ask your doctor to test you with both a urine test and a respiratory culture. If you test positive, ask your doctor to report your illness to your local or state health department as soon as possible after your diagnosis.

DHSS will continue working with St. Louis Marriott West, which is taking proactive measures, to ensure protection of the health of guests and employees.  Additional information on Legionella is available from the CDC website at: https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/index.html.