Health officials investigating virus outbreak in Las Vegas
Local health officials have not classified reports of gastroenteritis as an outbreak, but they are investigating complaints that tourists from Hawaii became ill after visiting several places in Las Vegas.
“We’re looking at a nationwide illness, here in Las Vegas as well as Hawaii and other places,” Stephanie Bethel, a district spokeswoman for the Southern Nevada Health District, told the AP. “At this point, we don’t believe there’s a specific place of origin.”
|
|
Bethel and a health district epidemiologist, Brian Labus, would not say how many cases had been reported, but other reports said a Hawaii group of six people last week reported flu-like symptoms consistent with a highly contagious norovirus, which causes vomiting, diarrhea, chills and cramps.
Whatever the seriousness of the outbreak, health officials said that people could prevent the illness by washing their hands.
The Southern Nevada Health District issued a press release warning visitors to Las Vegas and others about a spike in illnesses.
“The illnesses are not connected to any particular restaurant, facility or food,” the release said, “but are affecting people through Las Vegas Valley.”
Rob Stillwell, a spokesman for Boyd Gaming, which owns the California, said cleaning and prevention procedures had been implemented at the hotel in recent weeks. Guests were being advised at check-in to wash their hands frequently.
“It is flu season, and this isn’t something out of the ordinary for us,” said Mr Stillwell.
Gastroenteritis is a mild viral infection with symptoms similar to flu, including diarrhea, usually lasting about 24 hours. Most people do not seek medical attention.
The virus is spread by eating or drinking contaminated food, touching contaminated surfaces or having direct contact with someone who is ill.
The California hotel-casino was the focus of a gastroenteritis outbreak between Dec. 3, 2003, and March 12, 2004, when the Health District investigated 1,174 reports of illness from people who visited the hotel. At the time, health district officials blamed media coverage for prompting people to report illnesses.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026