Legionellosis Outbreak Possibly Linked To Playboy Mansion Leaves Dozens Sick

The Playboy Mansion has been linked to a form of Legionnaires' disease called legionellosis caused by bacteria that grows in warm water.

Dozens of people who had attended functions at Hugh Hefner's Holmby Hills mansion, including a February 3 fundraiser, complained of flu-like symptoms and problems breathing. The illness isn't passed from person to person, but instead it's inhaled in water vapor.

The Center for Disease and Control says the bacteria can originate in hot tubs and uncleaned air conditioning units. In this particular situation, a fog machine is being investigated as the possible cause of the outbreak.

A partygoer who became ill tells the Los Angeles Times, "It knocked me off my feet for five days. I'm over it now, but I'm still feeling fatigue, which is not a good thing."

The Playboy Mansion and the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, where another conference was held, are being investigated by the CDC.

The actual source of the legionellosis has yet to be determined.