This Article is From Feb 15, 2011

170 ill after Playboy party, Hefner denies outbreak

170 ill after Playboy party, Hefner denies outbreak

Highlights

  • Porn mogul Hugh Hefner's famed California abode, the Playboy Mansion is at the centre of a health investigation after 170 people, who had attended a fundraiser there, reportedly fell ill.
  • Los Angeles County health officials said that the possible outbreak of legionellosis, or Pontiac fever, had affected people who attended the February 3 Domainfest Global Conference held at the mansion, reported Los Angeles Times.
  • But Hefner has shot down reports that a fog machine used at a recent party is to blame for a virus outbreak among a group of guests.
  • "There were events every night, and we are giving them a list of all the venues. We have no idea what this is or where it came from. The Mansion being to blame is at the moment, pure speculation," said a Domainfest spokesperson.
  • And Hefner's representative has denied the allegations altogether, because others present at the bash have not experienced any symptoms.
  • "There is no truth in the rumour that anyone caught anything at the Playboy Mansion. Nor is there any evidence. None of the Playboy staff became ill, the deejay was in the middle of the fog and she didn't get ill," said the publicist of the 84-year-old mogul.
  • "We have been contacted by the Health Department and the Playboy Mansion is cooperating fully with the investigation," added the publicist.
Los Angeles: Porn mogul Hugh Hefner's famed California abode, the Playboy Mansion is at the centre of a health investigation after 170  people, who had attended a fundraiser there, reportedly fell ill.

Los Angeles County health officials said that the possible  outbreak of legionellosis, or Pontiac fever, had affected people who attended the February 3 Domainfest Global Conference held at the mansion, reported Los Angeles Times.

But Hefner has shot down reports that a fog machine used at a recent party is to blame for a virus outbreak among a group of guests.

"There were events every night, and we are giving them a list of all the venues. We have no idea what this is or where it came from. The Mansion being to blame is at the moment, pure speculation," said a Domainfest spokesperson.

And Hefner's representative has denied the allegations altogether, because others present at the bash have not experienced any symptoms.

"There is no truth in the rumour that anyone caught anything at the Playboy Mansion. Nor is there any evidence.  None of the Playboy staff became ill, the deejay was in the middle of the fog and she didn't get ill," said the publicist of the 84-year-old mogul.

"We have been contacted by the Health Department and the Playboy Mansion is cooperating fully with the investigation," added the publicist.

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