Man, 86, dies and six hospitalised in Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Sydney

A man has died and another six people are in hospital in a deadly disease outbreak in inner Sydney.

One man has died and six other people have been hospitalised in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in inner Sydney.

The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) and City of Sydney are conducting inspections and tests of contaminated water sources in Potts Point.

One man has died in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak. Picture: Supplied/Janice Haney Carr/Public Health

“Since late May, seven Potts Point residents have been diagnosed and hospitalised with Legionnaires’ disease,” a statement from SESLHD reads.

“This includes a man in his eighties, who became unwell in late June, and has sadly died from the infection.”

Six other people were hospitalised with the disease, five of whom have since returned home.

“None of the patients are known to each other, however they may have been exposed to a common source of infection in the area,” the statement reads.

SESLHD public health unit director Vicky Sheppeard said no legionella bacteria – which is responsible for the disease – had been found but investigations were ongoing.

The disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is spread by an infection with legionella bacteria, which can sometimes be caused by contaminated cooling towers on top of large buildings.

It is not spread from person to person.

“The district has requested building owners disinfect their cooling towers on two occasions since the investigation began in June,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated.”

Six people have been hospitalised in Potts Point due to a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak. Picture: NewsWire/Christian Gilles

Dr Sheppeard said symptoms could take up to 10 days to appear, and could include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath.

“People who have recently been in Potts Point and develop these symptoms should see their GP or go to a hospital emergency department,” she said.

Not everyone exposed to the bacteria will become sick.

Those with weakened immune systems, chronic lung conditions or disease, are smokers or older than 50 are more susceptible to the disease.

Left untreated, a person may suffer respiratory failure, septic shock or acute kidney failure.

Building owners have been urged to ensure their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022.

Originally published as Man, 86, dies and six hospitalised in Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Sydney