Legionnaires' Disease outbreak hits Australia
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Legionnaires' Disease outbreak hits Australia*
June 08, 2007 06:12pm
Article from: AAP
THREE men in Melbounre have been admitted to hospital with the
potentially lethal legionnaires' disease.
The outbreak is believe to have originated from cooling towers in
Footscray and Seddon.
And in a separate health scare, four people are reportedly being treated
following a salmonella outbreak at a Springvale bakery.
Towers in the two suburbs are now being scoured to find the source of
the legionnaires' outbreak.
But others living in the area have been told not to panic.
One cooling tower in the area has already been closed, however the
Department of Human Services is inspecting another 11 sites with cooling
systems which will be disinfected as a precaution.
The closed tower has tested positive for Legionella bacteria in the past
and was found to again be contaminated despite disinfection. It will
remain closed until it is fully cleaned and decontaminated.
The most serious of the cases is a 57-year-old from Coburg who has been
in the Royal Melbourne Hospitals intensive care unit for two weeks.
His illness was thought to be isolated until two more cases surfaced
this week.
A 74-year-old man from Seddon and a 59-year-old West Footscray man are
in the Western Hospital.
Acting chief health officer Dr Chrissie Pickin said advice about the
signs and symptoms of legionnaires' disease has been distributed to
hospital emergency departments and GPs in the area.
"There is no reason for residents of these areas not to go about their
normal business or activities, but we are asking anyone with
influenza-like symptoms, including headache, fever, chills, coughs,
muscle aches and pains, to visit their local GP,'' Dr Pickin said.
Legionnaires' disease can present up to 10 days after the initial
contact with the bacteria, which occurs naturally in water and soil.
Smokers and the elderly are at the greatest risk from the disease, while
those with chronic medical conditions such as cancer, lung disease and
diabetes may also face an increased risk.
There have been 13 cases of legionnaires' disease this year, compared to
40 at the same time last year.