http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/mountaineer-abruptly-ceases-racing-amid-health-concerns/
Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort on Saturday unexpectedly announced the suspension of live racing through Nov. 7. While officials at the West Virginia track did not state a reason for the sudden closure, a Hancock County Health Department (HCHD) official confirmed to TDN that her office received a number of health-related phone calls on Monday from racino employees that could potentially link health problems to alleged sanitary issues at Mountaineer.
Daily Racing Form, which first broke the story, reported that the outbreak could be Legionnaire’s disease, “according to officials with knowledge of the situation.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe, often lethal, form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. It is not spread by people, but generally through contact with contaminated water sources or by inhaling infected vapors or mists. Large public buildings like hotels are frequently sources of outbreaks, and whirlpools, spas, and hot tubs can also harbor the bacterium.
Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort on Saturday unexpectedly announced the suspension of live racing through Nov. 7. While officials at the West Virginia track did not state a reason for the sudden closure, a Hancock County Health Department (HCHD) official confirmed to TDN that her office received a number of health-related phone calls on Monday from racino employees that could potentially link health problems to alleged sanitary issues at Mountaineer.
Daily Racing Form, which first broke the story, reported that the outbreak could be Legionnaire’s disease, “according to officials with knowledge of the situation.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe, often lethal, form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. It is not spread by people, but generally through contact with contaminated water sources or by inhaling infected vapors or mists. Large public buildings like hotels are frequently sources of outbreaks, and whirlpools, spas, and hot tubs can also harbor the bacterium.