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The city fathers in the Greater Orlando area are not happy with the headlines being banged out at this hour.   Seems a hotel in the heart of Tourist Country -- that would be the area along and bordering the nefarious International Drive, or I-Drive for survivors of Disney, Sea World and Universal -- has sickened at least two vacationers with none other than Legionnaires' Disease.   

Legionnaires' Disease was first typed in Philadelphia in 1976.  An American Legion convention drew more than just veterans to a downtown hotel.  It also brought a novel bacteria that sickened hundreds and killed 34 (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/legionnaires-disease/DS00853 ).  The bacteria was not isolated until several months later.

The significance of the initial outbreak of Legionnaires' is that it came at the exact same time that the Ford Administration was trying to move the H1H1 "Swine Flu" vaccine program through the Congress.  The issue was wrapped around the axle of giving vaccine manufacturers a waiver of liability for the vaccination program.  The bill was stalled until the Philadelphia deaths occurred.  Worried Congressmen and -women, thinking that Swine Flu had inddeed started,  moved with rare and uncharacteristic swiftness to immunize vaccine companies from lawsuits.  The rest, as they say, is history.

Even though Legionnaires' Disease is not that rare any more (another example of the New Normal), the name still conjures up ghastly images.  So when the hotel in question discovered it need to be treated, and guests had to be moved RIGHT NOW, the issue got the attention of the local media.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- A hotel located in the tourist corridor of Orlando voluntarily closed its doors on Friday after two guests contracted Legionnaires' disease, a respiratory illness that can be fatal.

 

Guests at the Quality Suites, located at 7400 Canada Ave. near International Drive in Orlando, have been relocated because of the incident, although Orange County Health Department spokesman Dane Weister said there are no further reported cases of the disease.

 

The hotel may be closed for about two weeks.

 

No information about the two guests, including names, ages and whether they are related, was released.

 

The health department is conducting an investigation into numerous possible sources to determine the cause of exposure.

 

Legionnaires' disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria that can be found naturally and anywhere in the environment. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems or parts of the air-conditioning systems of large buildings.

 

Symptoms include headaches, loss of appetite, aches, pains, fever and coughing. The disease is treated with antibiotics. Symptoms can begin between two to 10 days after contracting the bacteria.

Legionnaires' disease causes death in up to 5 to 30 percent of cases, health officials said.

http://www.local6.com/health/15595503/detail.html