Health officials investigate Playboy mansion after mystery illness hits partygoers

Health officials investigate Playboy mansion after mystery illness hits partygoers

2011-02-14 03:10:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- Los Angeles County health officials are investigating complaints of a respiratory infection outbreak that afflicted people who attended a fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion earlier this month, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Dozens of guests complained of respiratory problems, pneumonia, and flu-like symptoms after an annual conference in Santa Monica, which held events at several locations, including the Playboy Mansion.

The Department of Public Health sent an e-mail with a survey on Friday to those who attended the February 3 event warning them that the agency had received reports of a possible respiratory infection outbreak among attendees.

"An investigation into the cause and extent of illness and into potential sources of exposure is ongoing," Sarah Kissell, a department spokeswoman, said.

Roughly 700 people from 30 countries attended the four-day conference on Internet businesses called DOMAINfest Global. One attendee, Nico Zeifang, started a sick list on Facebook, which he said already has 77 names, according to the newspaper.

Some of the attendees suspect their symptoms are related to Legionellosis, or Pontiac fever, which is a milder form of Legionnaires' disease caused by bacteria living in warm air-conditioning systems. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the bacteria are not spread from person to person, but are instead inhaled in water vapor.

Some of those who became ill said they suspected a fog machine that was used at the party, the newspaper reported.

Playboy spokeswoman Teri Thomerson said the Playboy Mansion was cooperating fully with the Department of Public Health's investigation.

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