ST. CROIX — After two guests who recently stayed at Hotel on the Cay were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease, the Virgin Islands Department of Health issued a cease-and-desist order today that requires the hotel to immediately suspend all operations due to the detection of Legionella contamination in multiple water sources, the DOH announced.
“The VI Department of Health has ordered Hotel on the Cay to remediate the hotel water systems and to allow the Department of Health to complete sampling once remediation is complete to show the absence of legionella,” Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said in a statement. “Hotel on the Cay will not be allowed to resume hotel operations until approved to do so by our Environmental Health Division.”
The DOH took the decisive action to protect public health following confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to the hotel’s water system after two guests who recently stayed at the hotel were diagnosed with the serious type of pneumonia that is caused by inhaling water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria, according to the DOH. The individuals fell ill after using water facilities during their stay. One guest required hospitalization and intubation in an intensive care unit. The other guest is recovering without hospitalization. An additional three guests have suspected Legionnaires’ disease, and these cases are currently being investigated.
“The health and safety of our residents and visitors are our top priority,” Encarnacion stated. “The Department of Health is working diligently to address this situation and prevent further cases. We urge anyone who has recently stayed at Hotel on the Cay and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention.”
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle aches, and headaches. These symptoms typically develop two to 10 days after exposure. Individuals at higher risk include older adults, smokers, and those with weakened immune systems.
Guests who stayed at the Hotel on the Cay within the past two weeks are encouraged to monitor their health and report any symptoms to their health care provider. Individuals seeking testing for Legionnaires’ disease, conducted via a simple urine sample, can visit the St. Croix Clinical Laboratory in the Sunny Isle Medical Center. The lab is open from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday, and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
“The Department of Health’s Epidemiology and Environmental Health divisions are conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the source and extent of the contamination,” Dr. Esther Ellis, territorial epidemiologist, said in a statement. “The hotel is required to conduct remediation efforts and testing will follow to ensure the safety of the premises.”
Once Legionella grows and multiplies in a building water system, it can spread to people in a few ways, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water containing Legionella can spread in droplets small enough for people to breathe in. People can get Legionnaires’ disease or Pontiac fever, a mild respiratory disease caused by Legionella, when they inhale those small droplets containing the bacteria. This is the most common way people get sick. Swallowing water containing Legionella into the lungs is a less common way people get sick. This happens when water accidently goes into the lungs while drinking.
Legionella was discovered after an outbreak in 1976 among people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion, according to the CDC. Those who were affected suffered from a type of pneumonia that eventually became known as Legionnaires’ disease.
The DOH will provide updates regarding the investigation and reopening of the hotel as information becomes available. The DOH has set up a hotline at 340-725-5389 or 340-774-7477, ext. 5647 to provide information and answer questions from the public.
