Cooling tanks at LHSC Victoria test positive for legionella bacteria, which causes legionnaires disease
They can grow in hot tubs and hot water tanks, or large plumbing or air conditioning systems, places where water turns to vapour.
Now the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) says legionella bacteria, the bacteria that cause legionnaires disease, have been found in samples from the cooling towers at the Victoria campus.
'Water evaporates and becomes aerosolized, where the bacteria can be in the air, then inhaled by people, and people can get sick,' explained Dr. Nadim Khalil, the Site Lead, Infection, Prevention and Control at LHSC Children's Hospital.
So what is legionnaires disease?
LHSC describes it as a serious type of pneumonia, though it is not spread by person-to-person contact.
Signs can include fever, chills, dry cough, and shortness of breath.
On July 9, Middlesex London Health Unit declared a legionnaires outbreak within a six-kilometre radius in southeast London. As of Tuesday, there were 69 reported cases, and two deaths.
london - legionnaires - july 2025
A heat map provided by the Middlesex-London Health Unit shows the general area of confirmed cases (home addresses) of Legionnaires' disease reported to the Middlesex-London Health Unit in 2025.
'Even though there have been 69 cases, it's still fairly low number just considering the population of London. That falls down to roughly one in 10,000 people getting sick,' said Dr. Khalil.
While LHSC Victoria falls within the catchment area, officials say the hospital is not the source of the outbreak.
'There's not an increased risk from catching legionella from being in the hospital than anywhere else in London,' said Dr. Khalil. 'So unfortunately, just because we do fall in that radius,' he explained.
Dr. Khalil said LHSC is doubling its efforts with chemical cleaning of the cooling tanks.
'So regardless of the test results, we have had treatment done to the water supply, and we are proceeding with an even more aggressive treatment and cleaning, just to make sure we're not causing any potential harm to the community,' he said.
The hospital is awaiting results of the positive samples, taken about a week ago. That's to determine whether it's the same strain found in the community. They're expected in about three weeks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
a minute ago
- CBC
Ontario doctors are close to a new compensation deal. Here's what it includes
The Ontario Medical Association is hoping to strike a new deal with the province that would change the way family physicians are compensated. CBC's Dale Manucdoc has more on what the proposed deal includes.
CBC
a minute ago
- CBC
More than 400 deaths linked to L.A. wildfires, researchers say
The deadly wildfires that swept through Los Angeles this year likely contributed to hundreds more deaths, say researchers calling for better health tracking in the wake of natural disasters. As Canadian communities from B.C. to Newfoundland battle flames and drifting smoke, new research from JAMA medical journal published Wednesday draws attention to the long-term health effects associated with recent wildfires in L.A. and Maui, Hawai'i. A total of 30 people died directly from the L.A. wildfires, according to the study. Andrew Stokes of Boston University School of Public Health and Finnish researchers now estimate another 440 people died from health conditions related to the blaze. Stokes said these could be people with heart or lung conditions exacerbated by smoke. Mental health impacts and delays in care may have also contributed. In total, 6,371 deaths were observed compared with 5,931 expected from previous data, for a total of 440 "excess deaths." The researchers acknowledged the data was provisional and unmeasured factors could've played a role. WATCH | Harmful toxins can remain in structures that survive wildfires: Harmful toxins from wildfires linger in surviving homes 7 months ago "Each of these statistics is an underlying person with family that's now bereaved as a result," Stokes said. Getting a sense of the true burden of health impacts related to wildfires, including cancers among wildland firefighters that develop years later, may help prioritize disaster resources, he said. Need for proactive approach More than 100 people died directly from the Maui wildfire in August 2023, which also left one in five people tracked in the study with lung damage up to 14 months later. Dr. Sonia Angell, a professor in the epidemiology department at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, called for better tracking. "If we are lulled into the idea that the impact that climate has on health is really during the episodes then we're really getting behind the eight ball," Angell said."We're really missing out on opportunities to improve health and to prevent illness and death." Angell said most people see extreme weather events like wildfires, hurricanes or earthquakes as extreme shocks in the moment. But he health risks don't end there. "Our surveillance systems need to be improved to be able to really understand the impact of climate and health, so that our health departments and our governments can be more proactive rather than reactive," Angell said. Angell gave the example of compromised lung function after a wildfire that needs medical attention, but may never have been included in the formal counts. Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency physician based in Yellowknife who treats patients harmed by wildfire smoke, said a new approach to showing the longer health impacts of wildfire from wildfires is important. "Too many Canadians have now had the experience of living within a smoky environment," Howard said from near Osoyoos, B.C. Smoke exposure can cause headache, runny nose, throat irritation and cough, she said. Provincial health officials say severe cough, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and wheezing are less common symptoms. "I don't want to scare people, but what is absolutely clear is that wildfire smoke is toxic," Howard said. "It's very bad for our lungs and we need to be decreasing our exposure as much as possible." Vulnerable at risk Health Canada estimated up to 240 annual deaths and $1.8 billion in healthcare costs are due to short-term health effects from wildfires. This week, health officials from B.C. to Newfoundland have warned vulnerable residents, such as those over age 65, pregnant, young children, people who have underlying medical conditions and those who physically exert themselves outside for work or sports, that they're considered at high risk of suffering health effects from smoke. Residents in smoky areas are advised to reduce their exposure: Keep windows and doors closed. Limit outdoor and strenuous activity. Turn off or use recirculation settings on HVAC systems to prevent smoke from entering. Use portable HEPA cleaners to filter air in one area of the home. Stay cool. Check in and care for those who are vulnerable. Howard said years of more intense wildfires in Canada reflect the impacts of climate change from fossil fuel combustion and other types of greenhouse gas emissions. "We still, I believe, have the ability to emergently decrease those greenhouse gas emissions and get ourselves onto a different track."
CTV News
31 minutes ago
- CTV News
RVH celebrates opening of new live-in addictions treatment centre
Third from right: Basil Clarke, County of Simcoe Warden, Fourth from right: Doug Downey, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte MPP, Fifth from right: Gail Hunt, RVH President and CEO, Sixth from right: Andrea Khanjin, Barrie—Innisfil MPP, Seventh from right: Mina Fayez-Bahgat, County of Simcoe, Eighth from right: Brandon Lewicki, RVH Mental Health and Addictions Program Director and other dignitaries celebrate the opening of the new RVH live-in addictions treatment centre in Barrie, Ont. on Wed., Aug. 6, 2025. (CTV News/ Chris Garry) The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) celebrated the official opening of its new live-in addictions treatment centre on Wednesday, which officials say will be a big step forward in providing care for the region's most vulnerable. 'Recovery and stability are possible when care is local, integrated, and rooted in trust,' said Brandon Lewicki, RVH mental health and addictions program director, of its vision. The hospital and the County of Simcoe were among the main partners teaming up to offer better support for those facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges through the program. 'We all have the same vision in helping people and this is going to be a great success,' said Basil Clarke, County of Simcoe Warden. Through the new live-in addiction treatment centre in Barrie, 12 clients at-a-time go through a 21-day program, receiving important mental health and addictions treatment that includes therapy, counselling, and recreational activities. Each client gets their own bedroom and bathroom. 'The hope is to provide people with the skills and the tools to be able to thrive and be successful once you're discharged back into the community,' added Lewicki. The new program falls under the county's Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment model (HART) and is designed to be the first stage in a client's road to recovery. 'It's customized services for each individual based on their needs,' said Mina Fayez-Bahgat, County of Simcoe social and community services manager. 'The idea is to serve them until they're ready to move into their next stage, which would be the longer-term supportive housing model.' The County requested funding from the Ford government last August and the province responded in January with a $529 million funding announcement to support 27 HART hubs across Ontario. 'That is lightspeed in terms of government cooperation, coordination,' said Doug Downey, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte MPP. 'I'm just thrilled for the individuals that are going to come through this program.' Hospital and county officials say the first round of patients has already been through the new live-in facility. Their second cohort is almost full and is expected in the coming weeks.
