Health Department says cistern water was source of Legionella contamination
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Health Department says cistern water was source of Legionella contamination

PROTESTANT CAY — The Virgin Islands Department of Health today addressed misinformation circulating in the community and on social media regarding the Cease-and-Desist Order issued last Friday to Hotel on the Cay on St. Croix.

The order was prompted by the confirmation of three cases of Legionnaire’s disease linked to the hotel.

“Since the department halted operations at Hotel on the Cay due to the confirmation of Legionnaire’s disease cases, there has been speculation about the source of the Legionella contamination,” said Virgin Islands Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion. “At the time of the confirmation, the hotel was utilizing cistern water. We want to state unequivocally that the contamination source was neither the potable water system nor the wastewater treatment system.”

The Cease-and-Desist Order was issued following the identification of Legionella bacteria in specific hotel rooms where affected guests had stayed.

“The cases of Legionnaire’s disease are directly linked to the fresh water systems within the affected hotel rooms,” said Dr. Esther Ellis, Territorial Epidemiologist. “Our testing identified Legionella in the showerhead, kitchen sink, and bathroom sinks in those rooms. Legionella is most commonly contracted while showering, as the bacteria can aspirate from the showerhead and enter an individual’s lungs, eyes, or mouth. This is the most likely mode of transmission in these cases.”

On Monday, the Epidemiology and Environmental Health divisions collected samples from the hotel’s water systems, which have been sent off-island for further testing. VIDOH expects to receive these results by next week.

Commissioner Encarnacion acknowledged the hotel’s cooperation in addressing these continuing health matters.

“The Department of Health thanks Hotel on the Cay for their collaboration in preventing further cases,” she said. “Over the weekend, extensive plumbing replacements and decontamination efforts were completed.”

The Virgin Islands Department of Health said it “will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as new information becomes available.”