Hefner's Hot Tub

The hot tub in Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles has been examined as a possible cause of a Legionnaires' Disease (Legionellosis) outbreak. Samples of water taken by the city health department definitely found a strain of the legionella bacterium to be present. In spite of the findings investigators cannot positively state if the hot tub was the actual cause of the outbreak.

The outbreak began after 700 guests and internet investors from some 30 different countries attended a DomainFest conference back in February. Sixty nine guests actually became ill on the night of the party and one hundred and twenty three showed some symptoms. Three of these proved positive for the H1N1 Flu Virus.

The hot tub along with many other water associated activities in both domestic and commercial venues has long been recognised as providing a possible risk for Legionellosis if it should become contaminated. This includes swimming pools, spas and hot tubs. Though the Legionnaire bacteria is capable of surviving quite low temperatures it only really becomes a problem in warm humid conditions such as those provided in and around hot tubs. Here it will reproduce quite rapidly. Hot tubs represent a significant risk.

Very recently a Scottish leisure company was fined £120,000 for breaches of health and safety which led to the death of one of their guests. This was as a direct result of Legionnaires Disease.

Infection by the Legionella bacteria can be extremely serious in some cases. It is of particular concern to the elderly, smokers and those with asthma or similar lung complaints.