Call For Enhanced Surveillance and Testing for TravelAssociated Cases of Legionnaires Disease in Atlantic City

What You Need To Know

• The NJDOH is currently investigating two Legionnaires' disease cases associated with a hotel/casino in Atlantic City, NJ.
• Local health departments are being asked to inquire about recent travel, including day trips, to Atlantic City when interviewing case-patients diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Please inform NJDOH by email or phone if a case-patient reports visiting a hotel/casino in Atlantic City. Include the name of the travel accommodation, complete address, dates of arrival/departure, room number (if patient stayed overnight), and any known exposures to aerosolized water (e.g., hot tub use, decorative fountains, showering).

Healthcare providers are being asked to have a high index of suspicion for Legionella when evaluating patients for community-acquired pneumonia, particularly when the patient reports travel to Atlantic City in the 14 days prior to becoming ill. Health care providers and administrators are required to report cases of legionellosis (Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever) to the local health department where the patient resides within 24 hours of diagnosis (N.J.A.C. 8:57 – 1.4). If the patient's residence is unknown, report to your own local health department.

For More Information

Contact information is available at: localhealth.nj.gov Kathleen Ross, Communicable Disease Service, Kathleen.ross@doh.nj.gov or 609-826-5964 Lauren Conner, Communicable Disease Service, Lauren.conner@doh.nj.gov or 609-826-5964 Rebecca Greeley, Communicable Disease Service, Rebecca.greeley@doh.nj.gov or 609-826-5964