Millions of people who visited Sydney’s CBD over Christmas and New Year are being urged to look out for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease after seven people were diagnosed with the debilitating lung disease.
NSW Health issued a health warning on Wednesday for anyone who has visited the city center since Christmas Eve or in the past ten days to monitor for symptoms including cough, fever, shortness of breath and headache.
It came after three women and four men aged between 20 and 70 were hospitalized with pneumonia before being diagnosed as carrying the Legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease.
The people are believed to have visited places in the Sydney CBD between Bathurst St, Sussex St, Elizabeth St and Circular Quay in the 10 days before their symptoms appeared, all places visited during the holiday period.
Millions of people in the CBD have been urged to be screened for Legionnaires’ disease since Christmas Eve after seven people were diagnosed with the disease (stock photo)
NSW Health says symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can develop up to 10 days after exposure to contaminated airborne particles and can lead to serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
The disease cannot be transmitted from person to person. Instead, it is typically spread by contaminated water particles leaking from a cooling system. Smokers and people with underlying health and lung problems are most at risk.
NSW Health said environmental health officers are working closely with Sydney City Council to inspect cooling towers and a review of maintenance records could help identify which additional towers need to be inspected.
“Managers of buildings with cooling towers will be contacted and informed of the cluster. “Building owners must ensure that their cooling towers are properly operated and maintained,” they said.
On New Year’s Eve alone, more than a million people flocked to the city center to watch the world-famous fireworks display (photo).
“Public health units in local health districts in NSW are monitoring cases of Legionnaires’ disease and working closely with local authorities to manage cooling towers.”
“Routine monthly testing of cooling towers allows for early identification of contaminated towers and enables prompt additional cleaning and corrective action.”
A variant of Legionnaires’ disease can also be transmitted through soil and potting soil. In September, NSW Health said up to 52 people had been exposed to the disease by breathing in the bacteria from the soil.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
