Los Angeles County health officials said Monday that 170 people have fallen ill after attending or working at a fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion, but they do not believe the outbreak has spread beyond those associated with the event.
The possible outbreak of legionellosis, or Pontiac fever, affected people connected with the Feb. 3 DOMAINfest Global Conference in Santa Monica, "with symptoms mostly consisting of fever, chills, general discomfort (malaise) .jpg)
and some cough," according to a statement Monday by the county Department of Public Health.
The department was notified last Friday of a "suspected respiratory infection outbreak" among those associated with the conference, and officials were still identifying and contacting possible victims Monday, according to the statement.
Spokeswomen for Playboy and the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, where the conference was held, did not return phone calls Monday.
