At least 23 individuals, primarily children, have reported serious illness linked to a swimming pool at the Best Western Plus hotel in Brunswick, Maine. A lawsuit filed in the Cumberland County Superior Court last week outlines claims of a bacterial infection outbreak following visits to the hotel pool from March 3 to March 5, 2023. The plaintiffs, comprising families attending a hockey tournament and a birthday party, allege negligence on the part of the hotel management.
The lawsuit, brought forth by Garmey Law, contends that the hotel owners, Giri Hotel Management, had previously been cited for health violations more than a year before the incidents occurred. Specific issues noted in a health inspection from January 2022 included failure to maintain a certified pool operator, inadequate chlorine testing, and lack of essential safety measures—all classified as “critical” under Maine law. Despite these violations, the management continued to allow pool access to guests.
Shortly after swimming, all child plaintiffs, along with several adults, fell ill due to a bacterial infection known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This infection can result in severe health issues, including skin rashes, respiratory problems, and infections in various parts of the body. According to the lawsuit, affected families reported their illnesses to hotel staff but were allegedly told that their conditions were not related to the pool.
In response to the complaints, health inspectors returned to the hotel, deeming the pool an “imminent health hazard” and subsequently ordering its closure. Unfortunately, by the time inspectors arrived, hotel management had added chlorine to the pool, preventing tests for P. aeruginosa from being conducted.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified the incident as an outbreak, attributing the cause to inadequate maintenance and monitoring of chlorine levels in the pool. A report released in January 2024 indicated that among those who entered the pool during the relevant timeframe, 88% reported illness.
The repercussions of this outbreak are serious. According to the CDC, P. aeruginosa infections resulted in approximately 2,700 deaths in the U.S. in 2017, highlighting the potential severity of such infections. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, impacting the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
Giri Hotel Management, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, operates several hotels across Maine, including the Anchorage by the Sea and the Harraseeket Inn. Despite requests for comment, the company did not respond immediately to inquiries.
Attorney Peter Richard of Garmey Law emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “When companies ignore laws and regulations designed to protect the public, and especially children, the harm is not abstract.” He underscored the responsibility of hotel management to ensure the safety of their guests, particularly in light of the preventable nature of this outbreak.
As this legal case unfolds, it raises significant questions about public health standards and the responsibilities of hotel management to safeguard their facilities against potential health hazards. The outcomes may have broader implications for how similar establishments maintain safety protocols in the future.
