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Legionnaires' outbreak tally now up to nine cases

Commercial Appeal - 7/20/2017

July 20--At least nine people now have been infected with Legionnaires' disease in an outbreak traced to a Graceland-area hotel, Shelby County Health Department officials said Wednesday.

The latest tally represents an increase from the six cases that had been confirmed as of last week.

The outbreak has been linked to the hot tub and pool facilities at The Guest House at Graceland, located just north of Elvis Presley's famed home.

Health Department officials had closed the aquatic facilities, but on Wednesday they announced that the hotel has been authorized to reopen them. Sampling conducted since the outbreak has shown the area found no evidence that the bacteria causing the disease could still survive there.

Legionnaires' is spread when people breathe in water droplets or mist containing the legionella bacteria. In most cases, the infection doesn't cause a serious illness, but it can trigger pneumonia-like symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath, aches and nausea.

The Health Department asks anyone who stayed at the Guest House at Graceland between May 15 and June 26, and experienced possible Legionnaires' symptoms, to call its hotline at (901) 222-9299.

Reach Tom Charlier at thomas.charlier@commercialappeal.com or 901-529-2572 and on Twitter at @thomasrcharlier.

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