The Mainichi Daily News reports that an elderly man died earlier this month from Legionnaires’ disease following his exposure to legionella bacteria in a bath at a hotel in Minakami, which is located in Gumna Prefecture.
Health officials conducted tests on the water and confirmed that the man was exposed to the same type of bacteria found in the water. They also discovered that the levels of legionella bacteria in the water were about 18,000 times more than the limit set by prefectural regulations. As a result, the government closed the hotel for four days, beginning November 25, 2011, citing its “insufficient sanitation standards.”
There is so far no indication of additional cases.
Gumna Prefecture is located on Honshu island.
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For more information:
http://www.examiner.com/health-in-national/death-from-legionella-bacteria-a-japanese-hot-tub
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111126p2a00m0na009000c.html
http://outbreaknews.com/2011/11/26/elderly-man-dies-legionella-japan-hot-spa/
