One dead after Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Sydney
Australia
Sydney
health
outbreak
Disease
New South Wales CONTACT US
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
20 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Man dies in hospital after contracting Legionnaires' disease in Potts Point, Sydney
A man has died after contracting Legionnaires' disease in NSW. The Potts Point resident, aged in his 80s, first became unwell in June, according to NSW Health. He was among six other people from the same area who contracted the disease and were hospitalised. 'NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to their loved ones,' the department said. Five of the other patients have since been discharged. None of the infected are known to each other but they may have been exposed to a common source of infection. Legionnaires' disease is contracted by exposure to Legionella bacteria, and outbreaks can occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated. The disease is not spread from person to person. South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said that no Legionella bacteria have been found so far in the area since investigations began in June. Building owners have been asked to disinfect their cooling towers on two occasions. Symptoms of Legionnaires' include fever, chills, shortness of breath and a cough. It can lead to severe pneumonia. 'People who have recently been in Potts Point and develop these symptoms should see their GP or go to a hospital emergency department,' NSW Health said. More information can be found on the department's website.
News.com.au
20 hours ago
- News.com.au
Man, 86, dies and six hospitalised in Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Sydney
One man has died and six other people have been hospitalised in a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in inner Sydney. The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) and City of Sydney are 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 reads. '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 whom have since returned home. '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 reads. SESLHD public health unit director Vicky Sheppeard said no legionella bacteria – which is responsible for the disease – had been found but investigations were ongoing. The disease, 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,' Dr Sheppeard said. 'Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated.' Dr Sheppeard said symptoms could take up to 10 days to appear, and could 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 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.
The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- The Advertiser
One person dead amid legionnaires' outbreak in NSW suburb
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. 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. 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. 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
