Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Sydney: update

A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Sydney has so far resulted in 12 infections and one death. The victim is a man in his 50s, who died in hospital last week due to underlying health conditions. New South Wales Health confirmed that all cases are people who spent time in the Sydney central business district between March 13 and April 5. The source of the outbreak is likely a cooling tower in the district, which has been found to contain Legionella bacteria. However, further tests are ongoing to confirm its links with the current spread of the disease. New South Wales Health has chosen not to name the building where the tower is located. According to health officials, one person contracted the disease while driving in an open-top car.
All people who were in the central business district between March 13 and April 5 have been advised to look out for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, which include fever, chills, and shortness of breath. Symptoms can appear up to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Of the 12 people infected, 11 have been hospitalised, and one treated out of hospital. New South Wales Health’s Doctor Vicky Sheppeard said that the organisation is working closely with the City of Sydney to inspect and sample cooling towers in the business district potentially implicated in the outbreak. Most building owners cooperate with the inspections to ensure that their cooling towers are operated and maintained according to the law. At present, over 165 cooling towers have been inspected and tested in the city centre.