Bacteria/ virus infection in valemount hopt tubs!!!???

[CUSO]

First time I heard of it was from Brian Beebe.... Rumoour control... outa control.

Well, well, well! About 30 minutes ago the Northern Health Authority declared that the hotel and all other potential causes for this bacterial infection in Valemount are CLEARED. There were no traces of the bacteria found after a thorough investigation and now they've all left. If you want to read more about it look at The Valley Sentinel on line (local newspaper) or call Northern Health directly at 250-565-2150.

As I stated in my earlier post if you ever have an illness or infection that you think may have been contracted at a hotel or restaurant you need to do something productive about it that may work to solve the problem. Call the establishment, call the health board, see your doctor and get it sorted out before some small town gets irreversibly damaged by irresposible media reporting.

As also stated I and every other person here in the hospitality industry send our most heartfelt wishes for a fast recovery to the sledder in the coma. We hope to see you soon!
cheers,
s.

 

[BIG-BALLZ]

"Well, well, well! About 30 minutes ago the Northern Health Authority declared that the hotel and all other potential causes for this bacterial infection in Valemount are CLEARED"

As I stated in my earlier post if you ever have an illness or infection that you think may have been contracted at a hotel or restaurant you need to do something productive about it that may work to solve the problem. Call the establishment, call the health board, see your doctor and get it sorted out before some small town gets irreversibly damaged by irresposible media reporting.

If anything I think Valemount will benifit from this..... So what Im reading is there was suspected hotel but is now cleared...??? Great to know!!!!!!!!!! Wasn't worried about where to stay to begin with, but now noone has to!!!!!!!

 

[imdoo'n]

"Well, well, well! About 30 minutes ago the Northern Health Authority declared that the hotel and all other potential causes for this bacterial infection in Valemount are CLEARED"

As I stated in my earlier post if you ever have an illness or infection that you think may have been contracted at a hotel or restaurant you need to do something productive about it that may work to solve the problem. Call the establishment, call the health board, see your doctor and get it sorted out before some small town gets irreversibly damaged by irresposible media reporting.

If anything I think Valemount will benifit from this..... So what Im reading is there was suspected hotel but is now cleared...??? Great to know!!!!!!!!!! Wasn't worried about where to stay to begin with, but now noone has to!!!!!!!

yeah looks like it took close to 2 weeks for authorities to do something, whatever that was. maybe they only looked in the sink, put your faith in whoever you like, i'm thinkin something is fishy.

 

[Circled-Mistake]

yeah looks like it took close to 2 weeks for authorities to do something, whatever that was. maybe they only looked in the sink, put your faith in whoever you like, i'm thinkin something is fishy.

I wonder if their "investigations" can be open to the public.. Or have a 3rd party do it.... Either way.... Positives from here on!!!!!!!!!!

 

[linksys]

just an observation but the sledder was coma induced on the 2 of jan. health authorities gave the all clear on the 11 of jan. hmm, something sounds fishy, takes 4 or so days for symptoms to appear, hmm. about 2 weeks for the authorities to investigate, does a guy have to die before something happens, 2 weeks = lots of time to flush the system and clean it up. you guys still feel the government has your best interest at heart. linksys, you still feel all warm and fuzzy now. shheeet give me a break.

moral of the story, stay out of hot tubs, especially those that have a strong clorine smell.

uhh....Hellooo.....read my post again.....never talked warm & fuzzy.....you were talking of abandoning the town and going elsewhere.....All I said is don't over react (ie: chicken little the sky is not falling).....

and.... "stay out of the hot tub"......

 

[Carrots]

yeah looks like it took close to 2 weeks for authorities to do something, whatever that was. maybe they only looked in the sink, put your faith in whoever you like, i'm thinkin something is fishy.

I'm with you on that


Sent from a iPhone

 

[Summiteer]

yeah looks like it took close to 2 weeks for authorities to do something, whatever that was. maybe they only looked in the sink, put your faith in whoever you like, i'm thinkin something is fishy.

Yup, the BC health authorities are conspiring to kill all the sledders off.(perhaps just the Albertan ones). Or maybe VARDA paid them off to protect Valemount.
Or perhaps it takes time to figure out what bacteria they were looking for and where to look and then mobilize and actually inspect for said bacteria.

 

[summ-it-up]

hmmm, well what ever the case, this had better be cleared up. i'm headed there tomorrow with a group. but i wasn't worried, i hate hot tubs anyways, and 40 of vodka will cure anything- except a hangover.

 

[PowMower]

I'm sure it wasn't in vale but I can't believe people actually use public hot tubs!
The disgusting things that I have seen going on in these things has scared me for life. Try having a bath in a hotel bathtub in the water from the last guest with some chlorine dropped in the tub.

 

[modmanmike]

as I stated in a previous post about this... people shouldnt spout til the facts are out!

It takes a minimum of 5 days for samples to be sent in tested and have results from a mold or air quality test. I know this cuz its my second business. Also it takes time to collect the samples and gather information from the victims of the events leading up to the illness so the health authorities know where to go and look and collect samples to be tested... hotels are very big places with many places that create an atmosphere perfect for mold spores to form. some people need to get a grip on reality! CSI isnt a reality tv show guys.

I hope for a good outcome for the victim/s of this incident. this is a terrible thing to happen to anybody or any business/small town.

 

[imdoo'n]

Yup, the BC health authorities are conspiring to kill all the sledders off.(perhaps just the Albertan ones). Or maybe VARDA paid them off to protect Valemount.
Or perhaps it takes time to figure out what bacteria they were looking for and where to look and then mobilize and actually inspect for said bacteria.

well i'm thinkin they need csi, how many bacteria you think they need to look for, should take less than 30 minutes to test. they already new what they were looking for. good thing mm5 is in fernie or we may have some very sick peeps. (to late!!! we already do)

just for arguement sake, if it wasn't the hot tub where did he get infected? now i think all Valemount is suspect. every hot water tap, food establishment etc.


hmm 2 weeks gives the hot tub attendant plenty of time to add more bromen/ chlorene to remove any bacteria or virus from said tub, = nothing to be found. again trust no one


especially those in authority, like all those that say don't worry we have it under control. the kill floor is this way -------->

did i say cover up, hope it goes away.

 

[teeroy]

as I stated in a previous post about this... people shouldnt spout til the facts are out!

It takes a minimum of 5 days for samples to be sent in tested and have results from a mold or air quality test. I know this cuz its my second business. Also it takes time to collect the samples and gather information from the victims of the events leading up to the illness so the health authorities know where to go and look and collect samples to be tested... hotels are very big places with many places that create an atmosphere perfect for mold spores to form. some people need to get a grip on reality! CSI isnt a reality tv show guys.

I hope for a good outcome for the victim/s of this incident. this is a terrible thing to happen to anybody or any business/small town.

again, you need to brush up on your reading....legionella does not come from mold spores.

 

[imdoo'n]

i hope they can find the cause, as this is one badazz sickness. the way things have been going these days, disease mutation can happen at anytime, and so far this is one of those things not everything is known about. i don't think sweeping it under the rug is the best way to handle it.

 

[duck]

Is there any more word on the health of the dude involved yet? Just finished reading alot of this thread and best to just stay out of public hot tubs. Maybe the hotel owners can convert these areas to little get together areas with pictures on the walls and some tv's playing videos with nice girls serving caesars or some other kind of beverage?

cheers

 

[Eagle]

Nothing was found. No proof it was even Valemount where he picked up the bug... MOVE ON... We are all sorry about the situation and wish everyone a speedy recovery..

 

[Greg Thibault]

Good afternoon,
I am the manager of the Public Health Protection program for Northern Health. I would like to provide the readership with the information as we know it to date. Please keep in mind that due to the fact that the patient, an Alberta resident in hospital in Alberta is still in an induced coma and has not communicated with health officials regarding the infection with Legionella. We can only act on the information that Northern Health and Alberta Health Services can confirm from direct individuals involved.

The case was first identified by this site and subsequently the press. It was Northern Health that then had to start the process of confirming the information as no one contacted us prior to this. So the timelines are:
Jan 9
Northern Health determines through discussion with AB Health that a case is in hospital in Alberta, test results were presumptive and require confimation. (still pending)
Inspectors contacted facilities in Valemount (late afternoon by the time accurate information was confirmed)
6pm RCMP take it upon themselves to visit hotels to inform them of the media stories and suggest voluntary pool closure. This was not requested by Health.
Jan 10
Specific accomodation (as informed by AB Health from patient Family) inspected. No source of legionella suspected from pool facilities or boilers. No other airborne droplet sources on site.
Other facilities visited to provide information to properties in efforts to control the rumour mill.

To answer some of the comments made on this forum.
The bacteria take time once being inhaled to produce symptoms. It is not like being exposed to a chemical where a reaction can be instant. This bacteria (not Mould spore!!!) usually take 5 to 6 days before symptoms show up but has been as fast as 2 days with some past cases. The information as we have is he visited Valemount on the 26th and started feeling ill from symptoms related to this bacteria on the 28th. Again this information is from persons directly connected to the patient as he is in a coma. That puts the patient in Alberta as the most likely place of contact, but to be safe Valemount properties were inspected.

Inspection results of all pool and food facilities can be found through our web site www.northernhealth.ca on our Environmental Health page. If you want to see the results of the inspection it is public information and I encourage you to check out the facilities you are supporting.

Other comments,
Why did it take so long? We don't know if no one informs us. If the patient went to his doctor, the doctor would have to take tests etc. As one person said, this takes time. once confirmed (not suspected but confirmed) the appropriate agencies are notified and investigations can then proceed. In this situation the word of mouth preceeded the lab confirmation.

Legionella is not spread person to person. The bacteria hitch a ride on airborne droplets from the stagnant water they grew in. The bacteria must be inhaled. Pneumonia like symptoms are then the reaction individuals produce.

So what does this mean for hot tubs? Make sure they are clean, clear water and clean surroundings. If they smell like chlorine they are not a good bet to use. The chlorine smell actually indicates they may not be using enough chlorine to properly treat the water. You are actually looking for a clean clear tub with no odour!! If there is foam (not bubbles but foam), RUN. and if you suspect a problem, please let your local health inspector (environmental health officer) know. EHOs can not be everywhere all the time and we do respond to all complaints (food, water, sewage, pools and a host of other areas involving the publics health). All complainants names and contact information are held in confidence (legal requirement).

And the food poisoning comment, the most common food poisoning organism takes 2-5 days to present symptoms in people. So what you ate 3 days ago could get you sick tomorrow and you don't even have any symptoms yet. It is rarely the last thing you ate. As a group I would think that you would be equally concerned about the food you eat.

The following is taken from the BC Center for Disease Control web site if you have any specific inquiries regarding Legionnaires Disease.
I hope this lengthy post has helped to answer a few questions.
Greg Thibault
Manager, Public Health Protection
Northern Health
250 565 2150
[h=1]Legionnaires Disease and Pontiac Fever[/h]Definition
Legionella are bacteria that infect the lungs. When a person gets sick from this infection it is called legionellosis. The serious form of legionellosis is called legionnaires’ disease. A milder form of the infection is called Pontiac fever.

Legionella infections are rare in British Columbia. From 1999 through 2008, 34 cases have been reported to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
Symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease produces symptoms similar to pneumonia, including:

• loss of appetite
• muscle pain
• headache, followed by:
• high fever
• chills
• cough
• abdominal pain, and
• diarrhea

Symptoms start an average of 5 to 6 days (range 2 to 10 days) after exposure to the bacteria.

Pontiac fever causes mild symptoms of:

• fever
• headache, and
• muscle aches that go away without serious problems.

Symptoms start an average of 24 to 48 hours (range 5 to 66 hours) after exposure to the bacteria. Sometimes a person can be infected and have no symptoms. People at most risk of infection and serious illness from a legionella infection are those over the age of 65, smokers, those who have a lung disease such as emphysema and those whose immune system is compromised.
Causes
The most significant cause of legionellosis is the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. Legionella infections are NOT spread from person to person. The bacteria are naturally found in the environment, most often in water. People become infected when they breathe in spray or mist coming from contaminated water.

There have been individual cases and outbreaks linked to:

• air conditioning systems in large buildings
• hot tubs
• decorative fountains

Tests and Diagnosis
If you think you have a legionella infection, see your family doctor immediately for testing, advice and treatment. Contact your local environmental health officer to discuss where the infection might have come from, especially if you suspect a public facility as the source.
Treatment and Drugs
Your doctor will decide which treatment is right for you. Antibiotics are effective in treating most people with this infection.
Prevention
If you own a hot tub, disinfection of the water can prevent the growth of legionella that might naturally be present in the water.

• Make sure there is enough disinfectant in the water prior to using your hot tub.
• If necessary, add disinfectant at least a half an hour before using the hot tub.
• Chlorine levels should be maintained at 3.0 ppm and bromine levels should be maintained at 4.5 ppm. Test kits are available at hot tub and swimming pool stores.

Proper construction and maintenance of air conditioning systems in large buildings and decorative fountains is required to ensure that legionella bacteria do not multiply.

 

[Summitric]

Excellent information, Greg....... Thanks for posting on our site, that is awesome news that Valemont has a green lite

 

[SledMamma]

Thank you for the official response and links to testing for public disclosure: very much appreciated Checking those out now...

One question: Regardless of where this infection originated, do you think it likely more cases will appear or should have appeared due to the infectious nature of the pathogen and the fact that the source has not been pin pointed and cleaned up?

 

[Circled-Mistake]

Good afternoon,
I am the manager of the Public Health Protection program for Northern Health. I would like to provide the readership with the information as we know it to date. Please keep in mind that due to the fact that the patient, an Alberta resident in hospital in Alberta is still in an induced coma and has not communicated with health officials regarding the infection with Legionella. We can only act on the information that Northern Health and Alberta Health Services can confirm from direct individuals involved.

The case was first identified by this site and subsequently the press. It was Northern Health that then had to start the process of confirming the information as no one contacted us prior to this. So the timelines are:
Jan 9
Northern Health determines through discussion with AB Health that a case is in hospital in Alberta, test results were presumptive and require confimation. (still pending)
Inspectors contacted facilities in Valemount (late afternoon by the time accurate information was confirmed)
6pm RCMP take it upon themselves to visit hotels to inform them of the media stories and suggest voluntary pool closure. This was not requested by Health.
Jan 10
Specific accomodation (as informed by AB Health from patient Family) inspected. No source of legionella suspected from pool facilities or boilers. No other airborne droplet sources on site.
Other facilities visited to provide information to properties in efforts to control the rumour mill.

To answer some of the comments made on this forum.
The bacteria take time once being inhaled to produce symptoms. It is not like being exposed to a chemical where a reaction can be instant. This bacteria (not Mould spore!!!) usually take 5 to 6 days before symptoms show up but has been as fast as 2 days with some past cases. The information as we have is he visited Valemount on the 26th and started feeling ill from symptoms related to this bacteria on the 28th. Again this information is from persons directly connected to the patient as he is in a coma. That puts the patient in Alberta as the most likely place of contact, but to be safe Valemount properties were inspected.

Inspection results of all pool and food facilities can be found through our web site www.northernhealth.ca on our Environmental Health page. If you want to see the results of the inspection it is public information and I encourage you to check out the facilities you are supporting.

Other comments,
Why did it take so long? We don't know if no one informs us. If the patient went to his doctor, the doctor would have to take tests etc. As one person said, this takes time. once confirmed (not suspected but confirmed) the appropriate agencies are notified and investigations can then proceed. In this situation the word of mouth preceeded the lab confirmation.

Legionella is not spread person to person. The bacteria hitch a ride on airborne droplets from the stagnant water they grew in. The bacteria must be inhaled. Pneumonia like symptoms are then the reaction individuals produce.

So what does this mean for hot tubs? Make sure they are clean, clear water and clean surroundings. If they smell like chlorine they are not a good bet to use. The chlorine smell actually indicates they may not be using enough chlorine to properly treat the water. You are actually looking for a clean clear tub with no odour!! If there is foam (not bubbles but foam), RUN. and if you suspect a problem, please let your local health inspector (environmental health officer) know. EHOs can not be everywhere all the time and we do respond to all complaints (food, water, sewage, pools and a host of other areas involving the publics health). All complainants names and contact information are held in confidence (legal requirement).

And the food poisoning comment, the most common food poisoning organism takes 2-5 days to present symptoms in people. So what you ate 3 days ago could get you sick tomorrow and you don't even have any symptoms yet. It is rarely the last thing you ate. As a group I would think that you would be equally concerned about the food you eat.

The following is taken from the BC Center for Disease Control web site if you have any specific inquiries regarding Legionnaires Disease.
I hope this lengthy post has helped to answer a few questions.
Greg Thibault
Manager, Public Health Protection
Northern Health
250 565 2150
[h=1]Legionnaires Disease and Pontiac Fever[/h]Definition
Legionella are bacteria that infect the lungs. When a person gets sick from this infection it is called legionellosis. The serious form of legionellosis is called legionnaires’ disease. A milder form of the infection is called Pontiac fever.

Legionella infections are rare in British Columbia. From 1999 through 2008, 34 cases have been reported to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.
Symptoms
Legionnaires’ disease produces symptoms similar to pneumonia, including:

• loss of appetite
• muscle pain
• headache, followed by:
• high fever
• chills
• cough
• abdominal pain, and
• diarrhea

Symptoms start an average of 5 to 6 days (range 2 to 10 days) after exposure to the bacteria.

Pontiac fever causes mild symptoms of:

• fever
• headache, and
• muscle aches that go away without serious problems.

Symptoms start an average of 24 to 48 hours (range 5 to 66 hours) after exposure to the bacteria. Sometimes a person can be infected and have no symptoms. People at most risk of infection and serious illness from a legionella infection are those over the age of 65, smokers, those who have a lung disease such as emphysema and those whose immune system is compromised.
Causes
The most significant cause of legionellosis is the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. Legionella infections are NOT spread from person to person. The bacteria are naturally found in the environment, most often in water. People become infected when they breathe in spray or mist coming from contaminated water.

There have been individual cases and outbreaks linked to:

• air conditioning systems in large buildings
• hot tubs
• decorative fountains

Tests and Diagnosis
If you think you have a legionella infection, see your family doctor immediately for testing, advice and treatment. Contact your local environmental health officer to discuss where the infection might have come from, especially if you suspect a public facility as the source.
Treatment and Drugs
Your doctor will decide which treatment is right for you. Antibiotics are effective in treating most people with this infection.
Prevention
If you own a hot tub, disinfection of the water can prevent the growth of legionella that might naturally be present in the water.

• Make sure there is enough disinfectant in the water prior to using your hot tub.
• If necessary, add disinfectant at least a half an hour before using the hot tub.
• Chlorine levels should be maintained at 3.0 ppm and bromine levels should be maintained at 4.5 ppm. Test kits are available at hot tub and swimming pool stores.

Proper construction and maintenance of air conditioning systems in large buildings and decorative fountains is required to ensure that legionella bacteria do not multiply.

X2 on this writeup!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Valemount has NOTHING to worry about...... WE as sleedders have NOTHING to worry about..... LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Greg Thibault]

Thank you for the official response and links to testing for public disclosure: very much appreciated Checking those out now...

One question: Regardless of where this infection originated, do you think it likely more cases will appear or should have appeared due to the infectious nature of the pathogen and the fact that the source has not been pin pointed and cleaned up?

The bacteria, although it packs a punch when it infects, is actually not that infectious as noted by primarily picking on the elderly and immune compromised. For those of you partaking in the high octane after sledding, this puts you in that category. Your body has to work overtime and the Legionella is given an opportunity to infect.
The cases for most outbreaks are typically spread out over time due to the selective nature of the bacterium. The source may very likely be removed through routine maintenance of the source (cleaning of a boiler system, Hot water system reaching a temperature of 50C+, removal of a temporary fountain). Saying that, it is possible that the source still exists somewhere and we just do not have any other cases to compare data to. The last outbreak in BC from 1995 had 4 cases over a one month period before a specific link to a boiler system could be made. So in the world of bacteria nothing is taken for granted.

So,,,,, Stay healthy. As I often quote my mom from when I was a kid, 'keep your hands to yourself and keep your mouth shut' Seems to keep me healthy and keeps me out of fights. Take care.
Greg