Potts Point, Sydney: Man, 86, dies and six hospitalised in Legionnaires' disease outbreak
The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) and City of Sydney are now conducting inspections and tests of contaminated water sources in Potts Point.
'Since late May, seven Potts Point residents have been diagnosed and hospitalised with Legionnaires' disease,' a statement from SESLHD read.
This includes a man in his eighties, who became unwell in late June, and has sadly died from the infection.'
Six other people were hospitalised with the disease, five of which have since returned home.
One person remains in hospital.
'None of the patients are known to each other, however they may have been exposed to a common source of infection in the area,' the statement read.
SESLHD public health unit director Vicky Sheppeard said there had been no legionella bacteria found – which is responsible for the disease – but investigations remain ongoing.
The disease, which is a severe form of pneumonia, is spread by an infection with legionella bacteria, which can sometimes be caused by contaminated cooling towers on top of large buildings.
It is not spread from person to person.
'The District has requested building owners disinfect their cooling towers on two occasions since the investigation began in June,' she said.
'Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated.'
She said symptoms can take up to 10 days to appear, and can include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath.
'People who have recently been in Potts Point and develop these symptoms should see their GP or go to a hospital emergency department,' she said.
Not everyone that is exposed to the bacteria will become sick.
Those with weakened immune systems, chronic lung conditions or disease, are smokers or older than 50 are more susceptible to the disease.
Left untreated, a person may suffer respiratory failure, septic shock or acute kidney failure.
Building owners have been urged to ensure their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022.
Originally published as Man, 86, dies and six hospitalised in Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Sydney
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READ MORE: How COVID, flu, RSV are tracking this winter - and how to protect yourself Seven residents in one NSW suburb have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. The outbreak in Potts Point, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, has led to all seven hospitalised with the disease. This included a man in his eighties, who became unwell in late June and died from the infection. Five of the other patients have returned home and one is recovering in the hospital. None of the patients are known to each other; however, they may have been exposed to a common source of infection in the area, NSW Health said. South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said that while no Legionella bacteria have been found so far, investigations are continuing. "The District has requested building owners disinfect their cooling towers on two occasions since the investigation began in June," Dr Sheppeard said. READ MORE: Inside aged care: what our elderly Australians are eating may shock you "People who have recently been in Potts Point and develop these symptoms should see their GP or go to a hospital emergency department." Legionnaires' disease is an uncommon infection of the lungs (pneumonia) caused by Legionella bacteria. The bacteria are commonly found in the environment, particularly in water and soil. Infection occurs two to 10 days after a person breathes in the bacteria in contaminated water vapours or dust. READ MORE: How COVID, flu, RSV are tracking this winter - and how to protect yourself Seven residents in one NSW suburb have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. The outbreak in Potts Point, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, has led to all seven hospitalised with the disease. This included a man in his eighties, who became unwell in late June and died from the infection. Five of the other patients have returned home and one is recovering in the hospital. 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