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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- The Southern Nevada Health District has received reports that three guests that stayed at the Luxor have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease.

The health district was informed of these cases through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's national surveillance system.

The first two cases were reported in the spring of 2011. At that time, the health district collected samples and conducted an assessment but did not detect any Legionella bacteria.

Both patients recovered.

The third case was reported in January of this year. By that time, the patient had died. Once again, the health district collected samples and began testing.

This time, the sampling was positive. The Luxor has been working with the health district and began an immediate remediation process in accordance with its ongoing water management system. To date, no additional cases of disease have been reported.

"Obviously our hearts go out to the gues who passed away and to their family. It's never good news to receive a notification like this," Gordon Absher, Vice President of Public Relations for MGM Resorts International told Action News.

"Our company and our hotels have some of the most steadfast, vigilant water management systems anywhere in the industry," says Absher. The company is cooperating the the Southern Nevada Health District to ensure water safety after this outbreak.

According to the Occupational Safety & Healthy Administration, it is estimated that in the United States there are between 10,000 and 50,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease each year.

Legionnaires' disease is a bacterial disease commonly associated with water-based aerosols that have originated from warm water sources. It is often associated with poorly maintained cooling towers and potable water systems.

"What we typically see in Las Vegas is it's in the hotel rooms, often faucets and showers. They'll sit unused for a certain amount of time [then] you turn [them] on and it kicks this stuff up into the air," explains Brian Labus, senior epidemiologist for the Health District.

Symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, and some people also suffer from muscle aches and headaches. Symptoms usually begin within 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria.

Guests who have stayed at the Luxor recently and believe they are having symptoms are encouraged to consult their doctor.

To guests, Absher says, "They should come in and should have confidence that we're looking out for their health and for their safety." 

Absher also released the following:

Although the identities of this guest remains confidential, we are saddened at the news of the death of a former customer.
 
Our company has played an industry-leading role in developing systems and protocols to prevent and protect guests from such issues.
 
Within hours of receiving this alert from the Health District, Luxor began immediate remediation procedures. Luxor has had a comprehensive water management program since 2008. Treatment involves superheating super-chlorination of the water system.
 
We are confident in the integrity of our systems and the safety protocols we follow at all our hotels. Guest and employee safety is always a top priority at our Company.
 
Even before last summer, MGM Resorts led the industry with aggressive and stringent programs to control Legionella issues common to all large buildings.
 
We developed water management programs and implemented resort testing protocols to regularly monitor for Legionella. We treat our water systems preventatively, before bacteria are detected. We’ve worked to change regulations so we can implement more aggressive measures.