A tragic death has occurred linked to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease centered around Sydney’s central business district (CBD).
NSW Health confirmed a total of 12 cases of the illness, all involving individuals who visited the CBD between March 13th and April 5th. Authorities expressed their deepest sympathies for the individual who succumbed to the disease after being hospitalized last week.
The source of the outbreak is currently under investigation, but testing has identified Legionella bacteria within a cooling tower located in the CBD. This tower is now undergoing decontamination procedures as part of efforts to mitigate further spread.
Individuals who were present in the Sydney CBD during the specified timeframe (March 13th – April 5th) are urged to monitor themselves for symptoms associated with Legionnaires’ disease. These include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
It’s important to note that these symptoms can manifest up to 10 days after potential exposure, and the bacteria is *not* transmitted from person to person.
Of the twelve confirmed cases, eleven required hospitalization, while one individual received treatment as an outpatient. According to Dr. Vicky Sheppeard of NSW Health:
“Legionnaires’ disease arises from infection with Legionella bacteria. Outbreaks frequently occur when bacteria from environmental sources like cooling towers on larger buildings become contaminated. Crucially, this is not a person-to-person illness.”
NSW Health is collaborating closely with the City of Sydney to locate, inspect, and test potential cooling tower contributors to the outbreak. To date, over 165 cooling towers have been examined as part of this proactive response.
Most building owners are actively cooperating, swiftly taking measures to ensure their cooling towers adhere to standards outlined in the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022.
Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should promptly consult with their general practitioner or seek care at an emergency department.
