Two more individuals were confirmed to have been sickened with Legionnaires’ disease after visiting The Guest House at Graceland hotel in Memphis, TN, Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) officials said Thursday. That brings the number of infected to five.
The hotel, which opened last October on the grounds of the former home of Elvis Presley, remains open to guests, but the aquatics facilities, including the pool and hot tub, were temporarily closed June 26 after SCHD officials confirmed the initial three cases. The pool and hot tub are believed to be the possible sources for the Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease, but health officials won’t know for certain until laboratory testing is completed. Results are expected within the next 10 days.
SCHD officials reiterated that anyone who stayed at or visited the hotel between May 15 and June 26 and experienced pneumonia- or flu-like symptoms within two weeks of their visit should contact the SCHD Hotline at (901) 222-9299 and seek immediate medical attention.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Legionnaires’ disease is often under-reported, so the full extent of the outbreak may not be known if people don’t report their condition.