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Health officials in Nevada ordered laboratory tests on the hotel’s water system after the two cases were reported.

The tests were positive for Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease. While most people recover form the disease, about 10% of infections result in death.

The hotel is now investigating the cases and reaching out to past and current guests.

Environmental Health Supervisor Mark Bergtholdt said the hotel has started disinfecting rooms and water systems using chlorine at high temperatures.

This is not the first Las Vegas hotel that has reported an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease. In June and July 2011, six guests at the 4,000-room Aria Resort and Casino were diagnosed with the disease.

Legionnaire’s disease is a serious lung infection that spreads when people breathe in water droplets (mist or vapor) containing the Legionella bacteria.

Outbreaks are commonly traced to contaminated water systems in hotels and skyscrapers, hot tubs, showers, fountains, and pools.

Every year, between 8,000 and 18,000 Americans are hospitalized with Legionnaire’s disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease include pneumonia, fever, coughing, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and headache. People with weakened immune systems and lung disease are more susceptible to developing a deadly illness.

Source: 2 Guests Contract Legionnaires’ Disease at Rio Las Vegas