Nevada health authorities have launched an investigation following reports of two individuals who contracted Legionnaires’ disease while staying at a five-star hotel and casino in Las Vegas. The affected guests, who stayed at the Wynn Las Vegas resort separately in September and February of this year, were exposed to Legionella bacteria, which can cause a severe form of pneumonia.
Both individuals have since recovered, according to a statement from the Southern Nevada Health District. Environmental testing conducted by the district revealed that multiple samples from the facility tested positive for the bacteria. Since then, the resort has implemented extensive sanitization efforts, and the most recent tests show no detectable levels of the bacteria in the affected areas.
The resort continues to conduct regular testing to ensure the safety of its water systems and has informed guests about potential exposure to Legionella. Anyone who stayed at Wynn Las Vegas on or after September 1, 2025, is being encouraged to complete a confidential illness survey, even if they experienced mild symptoms that have since resolved.
“Immediate, proactive steps were taken to remediate the system and ensure the highest standards of water quality,” a spokesperson for Wynn Las Vegas told PEOPLE. “Ongoing testing conducted in coordination with the [district] confirms there is no ongoing risk to guests, and a comprehensive water management safety plan has been implemented to prevent recurrence,” the spokesperson added.
The Independent’s request for comment from the resort was not immediately returned.
Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not become ill, officials say. However, one out of every 10 people who contract Legionnaires’ disease may die from complications, including lung failure and other severe conditions, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease typically appear within 2-10 days after exposure. Common signs include coughing, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches, and headaches, which can last up to two weeks. People can contract the disease by inhaling mist containing the bacteria, but it is not contagious between individuals.
Individuals with weakened immune systems, those under the age of 50, and smokers are at a higher risk of developing the illness.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, approximately 6,000 cases of Legionnaires’ disease are reported annually in the United States. However, scientists believe the actual number of cases is much higher due to challenges in distinguishing the disease from other types of pneumonia.
Legionnaires’ disease has been detected in all 50 states, and the number of cases has been increasing since the early 2000s. Researchers attribute this rise, in part, to higher temperatures caused by climate change, which create favorable conditions for bacterial growth.
Other cases this year have been reported in New York and North Carolina. In North Carolina, the number of cases increased from 201 in 2024 to 310 in the previous year, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. The department advised people to flush their faucets or showerheads if they have not been used for three or more days, drain garden hoses, clean CPAP machines, and regularly disinfect hot tubs.
“The primary way to prevent Legionnaires’ disease is to control the growth and spread of Legionella in home water systems and in facilities with shared water systems,” the department stated.
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