Woman in 90s Dies, 60 Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in Victoria

Probable Cooling Tower Linked to Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

August 5, 2024 TruthUSA

There have been 78 confirmed cases and 2 deaths in the current Victorian outbreak.

Victorian authorities have pinpointed a cooling tower as the likely source of the Legionnaires Disease outbreak in the state.

As of 5 p.m. on Aug. 5, the health department confirmed 78 cases and 10 suspected cases of Legionnaires disease in just a week and a half.

Two people, including a man in his 60s and a woman in her 90s, have died from this outbreak.

Health authorities in Melbourne’s western suburbs have been working tirelessly to identify the source of the outbreak.

Chief Health Officer Dr. Clare Looker confirmed on Aug. 5 that Legionella bacteria had been found in a sample from a cooling tower in Laverton North suburb.

“The tower was disinfected within 24 hours of being visited on July 30,” Looker said according to The Epoch Times.

“Our rapid investigation located the likely source, tested, and disinfected it within a few days.”

Legionnaires’ disease is an urgent notifiable condition in Victoria, mandating doctors to report cases to the Health Department upon diagnosis.

“Most cases have required hospitalization, with multiple admissions to intensive care for severe community-acquired pneumonia,” according to a health alert issued by the chief health officer.

“All cases have visited or reside in metropolitan Melbourne. Adults over 40 years, especially those with other medical conditions, compromised immune systems, or who smoke, are at higher risk. Those with symptoms should seek urgent medical care.”

The Victorian health department has seen a significant surge in case numbers since July 26.

Testing Recommended

The Victorian health department urges healthcare professionals to have a high index of suspicion for Legionnaires disease in patients with symptoms and to conduct testing.

In advising to request urgent urinary antigen testing through normal pathology providers if Legionnaires’ disease is suspected, Looker emphasized ordering Legionella culture and PCR on sputum or respiratory fluid samples expediently.

Cooling tower operators in Melbourne have been reminded to stay compliant with tower testing, servicing, and auditing.

What are the Symptoms?

Legionnaires disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, commonly found in water systems like hot tubs, cooling towers, fountains, and plumbing systems.

Common symptoms of the disease include chest infection, fever, chills, cough, headache, muscle aches, and pains, and may appear two to 10 days after exposure.

In addition, the disease can lead to less common symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion.

High-risk groups for the disease after exposure to the bacteria include smokers, individuals over 40, those with chronic lung disease, weakened immune systems, or other underlying medical conditions like chronic heart, liver, or kidney disease, and diabetes.

According to a fact sheet from the Victorian health department (pdf), there is no vaccine for the disease.

“Legionnaires’ disease is not known to spread between people. The symptoms are similar to other infectious diseases, so individuals should wear a mask until they receive test results to protect others,” the health department advises.

Victoria Health emphasized that while Legionnaires disease cases are not uncommon in the state, the recent sharp increase is cause for investigation to reduce cases and public health risks.

The health department regulates cooling systems in Victoria, as cooling towers can provide an ideal environment for Legionella bacteria growth, especially if water remains stagnant.

The New South Wales Health department notes that about 10% of people with Legionnaires’ disease die despite treatment.

“The fatality rate is not linked to whether the person acquired the infection from an outbreak or not, but by the severity of the outbreak based on the number of affected patients,” the department stated.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 out of every 10 people who get Legionnaires’ disease will die due to complications from the illness.

Additionally, the CDC notes that most healthy individuals exposed to Legionella bacteria do not become ill.

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