Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Melbourne CBD’s southeast

PEOPLE who visited the CBD’s southeast this month and experiencing flu-like symptoms are urged to seek medical help, with an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease under investigation.

Legionnaires’ disease is a respiratory condition spread via contaminated water vapour or dust

PEOPLE who visited the CBD’s southeast this year and experiencing flu-like symptoms are being urged to seek medical help, as an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease is being investigated.

Three cases of the respiratory infection have been reported to the Department of Health, which has ordered the testing and cleaning of airconditioner cooling towers in the suspect affected pocket of the city.

The men, aged between 52 and 74 years, all worked or visited the city in the days before they became unwell around February 6 to 14.

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The area south of Bourke St, between Queen and Spring streets, is being investigated as the possible source.

Two of the men had also been at Flinders St station.

The pneumonia or flu-like symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can take up to 10 days to appear after exposure to the bacteria.

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Victoria’s deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton said while the men were admitted to hospital and were now recovering, it was important visitors to the city were aware of the symptoms as they could take up to 10 days to appear.

“My message to people who have visited the CBD between late January and earlier this month, and who may be suffering from pneumonia or flu-like symptoms is to visit their GP who will assess the need for testing for Legionnaires’ disease,” Dr Sutton said.

Legionellosis is not spread by person-to-person, but infection occurs when someone breathes in bacteria-contaminated water vapour or dust.

This year, there have been 18 notifications of people with the bacterial infection, compared to 11 the same time last year.

There were 100 cases reported to the department last year, up from a usual incidence of 70-80 people per year.