 | Thursday, June 3, 2010.
THREE LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE CASES AT DONCASTER
Two contaminated towers have been detected after three men contracted Legionnaires’ Disease in the Doncaster area, the Chief Health Officer, Dr John Carnie said today.
A man, 66, died from the illness while two men, 33 and 40, were treated in hospital. The two younger men have since been discharged.
Dr Carnie said the two contaminated towers were immediately disinfected when they were detected, and should no longer pose any potential risk.
He said the potential infectious period for people who may have been exposed to legionella before the disinfection is due to end this weekend, and anyone who has been in the area and is suffering from flu-like symptoms should see their doctor.
While two contaminated towers have been identified, Dr Carnie said results from more detailed testing were not yet available.
“We are not able to definitely say that either or both of these towers are involved in these three cases of Legionnaires’ Disease,” he said.
“However, all three men had visited the general area, and it is important that anyone else who has been in the vicinity who develops flu-like symptoms sees their doctor.”
Dr Carnie said the man, 66, died in the Box Hill Hospital after being notified with the illness on May 10. The other two men were notified with the illness on May 24 and 25.
The contaminated towers are on buildings at 666 Doncaster Rd and 2 Frederick St. Dr Carnie said tests on other nearby towers, including the Doncaster Shoppingtown and the Manningham Council offices, had proved negative.
“There should be no risk to people travelling in the Doncaster area now, as the two contaminated towers were immediately disinfected, cleaned and rendered safe on May 26,” Dr Carnie said.
“People who have been in the area in the days before May 26 who develop illness should see their doctor.”
Legionnaires’ Disease causes flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, chills, muscle aches and pains, followed by respiratory problems and pneumonia developed over three or four days. Onset can be up to 10 days after the initial contact with the bacteria.
High risk groups in the community are people aged over 50, heavy smokers, heavy drinkers, diabetics, people with chronic lung disease and those with impaired body defences.
Legionnaires’ Disease infection is acquired through breathing in very fine droplets of water which contain the bacteria, such as spray drifts which are vented off from cooling towers. Thorough decontamination and cleaning of infected towers should eliminate the risk.
The legionella bacteria occurs naturally in the environment, mainly in water and soil. It is normally in very low concentrations but can increase markedly, particularly in man-made aquatic environments with warm recirculating water, such as air conditioning cooling towers.
Dr Carnie last month announced a State-wide increase in inspections and testing of cooling towers. In a letter to almost 4000 businesses and State authorities, he warned that towers must be properly maintained.
The Department of Health has carried out more than 1400 inspections already this year.
So far this year 40 people have contracted Legionnaires’ Disease, up from 23 for the same period last year. Three of this year’s cases have died.
Media Release Attachment - Legion.doc [Word, 147456 Bytes]
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