Legionnaires’ disease: Fifth person hospitalised in recent days linked to staying in Lidcombe building
WESTERN Sydney’s Legionnaires’ disease outbreak continues after a fifth person was hospitalised after presenting with symptoms after staying in a building in Lidcombe before September 17.
NSW
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A FIFTH person has been hospitalised with Legionnaires’ disease after being exposed to the bacteria via the water cooling system in a Lidcombe building they were staying in earlier this month.
Despite ongoing NSW Health investigations into the “Legionella cluster” in the Lidcombe area, the fifth patient — an interstate traveller — was admitted to hospital today after showing symptoms of the disease after staying in the area sometime before September 17.
Health investigators subsequently identified Legionella pneumophila bacteria in a building’s water cooling system and immediately decontaminated the area.
Four other people have presented to hospital with similar symptoms in recent days, all of whom have confirmed they had spent time in the Lidcombe area.
Director Public Health Unit, Western Sydney Local Health District, Dr Shopna Bag said anyone who has recently been to the Lidcombe and surrounding areas who develops symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, including fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath, should visit their GP.
“Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person to person,” Dr Bag said.
“All five cases contracted the infection from breathing in Legionella pneumophila bacteria, which is found in water sources such as cooling towers.
NSW Health has strengthened its regulations in response to the outbreak, and now requires building owners to conduct monthly tests on cooling towers and notify high levels of Legionella and other bacteria to local council.
SYMPTOMS
■ Headache
■ Muscle pain
■ Chills
■ Fever that may be 40 degrees or higher
■ Shortness of breath
■ Chest pain
■ Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
■ Confusion or other mental changes