Legionnaire’s Disease in Playboy Hot Tub: Tests confirm Legionella bacteria

After an investigation performed by the Los Angeles County Health Department, it was confirmed that water in a Jacuzzi at the Playboy Mansion tested positive for the bacteria which causes Legionnaire’s disease.

In February about 200 people reportedly became ill after an event at the famous mansion. Many of those affected suffered from a less dangerous form of the disease known as Pontiac fever. With symptoms including headaches, fever and respiratory problems, this milder version of the disease is caused by the same legionella bacteria as full blown Legionnaire’s disease.

The bacteria got its name in 1976, when many people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from an outbreak of a very serious pneumonia. The bacteria can lead to serious lung infection which much be treated by a physician.

So far no deaths have been reported from the event, and it is still unclear as to who was the original source of the bacteria.