Westin gets 'all clear' for Legionella after death scare

ALL CLEAR: The Westin Hotel in Dubai has been given a clean bill of health following a Legionella scare. (Getty Images)

The all clear for Legionella has been issued to The Westin Hotel in Dubai following a public health investigation sparked by the death of a former guest from Legionnaire’s disease.

The inquiry was launched at the five-star hotel by the Dubai Municipality in coordination with the Dubai Health Authority last week, after the death of BBC radio cricket scorer Bill Frindall, who stayed at the hotel two weeks ago on a charity cricket tour of the country.

A total of 24 water samples were taken from air conditioning and water systems across the hotels facilities - all of which proved negative, according to Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of the municipality.

The test results proved beyond doubt that three of the hotel's guests, who were suspected of being infected by the bacterium at the hotel, including Frindall, did not contract their illnesses in Dubai, he confirmed.

"We had taken 24 water samples from different locations at the hotel and all of them tested negative. The hotel had, in fact, conducted its routine tests three times since it opened its doors in May 2008," Lootah said.

The municipality is the body responsible for ensuring the hygiene and safety standards at all hotels and all public premises.

It conducted 70 inspections in the city, collecting a total of 250 water samples for Legionella and other bacterium last year - none of which had proven positive, Lootah added.

"The municipality conducts inspections on all hotels, restaurants, and public places in accordance with international standards.

During our periodic checks, we also make sure of various hygiene and safety standards in swimming pools, spas, and gyms in addition to enforcement of smoking regulations, among other things," he sad in a statement.

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