Latest news with #LegionnairesDisease
News.com.au
28 minutes ago
- Health
- 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.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Killer bug strikes Sydney: One dead, six sick in Potts Point Legionnaires' outbreak
One person has died and another six are in hospital following a Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Sydney 's east.
CBS News
3 hours ago
- Health
- CBS News
1 dead, nearly 2 dozen sickened in Legionnaires' disease cluster in Harlem, health officials say
One death and nearly two dozen illnesses in Central Harlem have been linked to a Legionnaires' disease cluster, health officials say. According to the New York City Health Department, 22 people have been diagnosed with Legionnaire's disease since Friday and one person has died. The disease has been detected in the following ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037 and 10039. Anyone who lives or works in the impacted area and is experiencing flu-like symptoms is urged to contact a health care provider immediately. Health officials say a cooling tower in the area is likely the source of the cluster, and all operable cooling towers in the impacted area have been sampled. The health department has directed building owners with positive screening results to initiate remediation within 24 hours. The health department stresses that it is safe for residents in the impacted area to drink water, bathe, shower, cook and use air conditioners. Legionnaires' disease is caused by Legionella bacteria, which grows in warm water. You can catch it by breathing in water vapor that contains the bacteria. The disease is not contagious. Legionnaires' is a type of pneumonia with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, cough and difficulty breathing. When caught early, it can be treated with antibiotics, but those at higher risk include anyone over age 50, cigarette smokers, immunocompromised individuals and people with chronic lung disease. More information can be found at
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Deadly lung disease outbreak spreads from New York City
Health officials in Michigan are sounding the alarm over the spread of Legionnaires' disease after two people died of the infection this summer. Wayne County officials confirmed that both people were living in Allegria Village, a continuing care retirement community in Dearborn, Michigan when they contracted the infection in June and July. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reportedly said that both patients had tested positive for Legionnaires' disease Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation, and complications from the disease can be fatal. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella that is primarily spread through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets or aerosols. These contaminated droplets can be released from various water sources, including cooling towers, hot tubs, showers and decorative fountains. No details about the deceased individuals in Michigan, including their names, ages or genders, have been shared by the retirement home or officials. Health officials in New York are also contending with a possible Legionnaires' outbreak. The New York City Health Department issued a warning after eight cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed in Central Harlem this week. According to ABC7, both of the affected Allegria Village residents were living in two separate units and had moved into the facility recently. Avani Sheth, chief medical officer of HHVS, said of the 2025 cases: 'Wayne County Health, Human, and Veterans Services was recently notified of cases of Legionella pneumonia (Legionnaires' disease) among residents of Allegria Village in Dearborn, Michigan.' An investigation into the spread of the disease is currently being conducted in Wayne County by HHVS officials. Sheth noted that the investigation is in its early stages with the goal to ensure a safe and healthy living environment for residents and staff. The disease is not spread by drinking or swimming in water, except in the instance of water accidentally getting into the lungs instead of the stomach. Early symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, headache, lethargy, muscle pain and diarrhea. The severity can range from a mild cough to fatal pneumonia, and treating infection early with antibiotics is key for survival. Most healthy individuals do not become infected after exposure to Legionella, however, people most at risk include adults over 50, smokers and those with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions. The disease is treated with antibiotics including azithromycin, fluoroquinolones (like levofloxacin or moxifloxacin), and sometimes doxycycline or rifampin. The CDC reports that cases of Legionnaires' disease have been increasing since the early 2000s and hit a peak in 2018 with 9,933 confirmed cases. Due to reporting discrepancies and various databases, data on the number of legionnaires' cases and deaths is fragmented and varies. However, according to the CDC's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDS), from 2000 through 2019, a total of 82,352 confirmed Legionnaires' disease cases were reported from 52 US jurisdictions. About one in 10 people who become sick will die. The odds of death are higher when the disease is contracted in a hospital setting, with at least one in four dying. The most reliable way to determine if your water is contaminated with Legionella is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. Home testing kits are also available, which involve collecting water samples and sending them to a lab for analysis. Earlier this year, one person died and several were hospitalized due to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at a senior living facility in Vermont. It originated from the care home's water system. In general, the CDC reports that cases of Legionnaires' disease have been increasing since the early 2000s, with a peak in 2018 Legionella can colonize and grow within complex communities of microorganisms called biofilms that form on surfaces within water systems. Once there, the bacteria seeps into the water and becomes aerosolized. Plumbing systems, especially those associated with warm water, such as hot water tanks and distribution pipes, can also serve as reservoirs for Legionella bacteria to multiply. From there it can contaminate water in pipes. Stagnant or low-flow areas in pipes also foster Legionella growth. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella. Around 500 people in the UK and 6,100 in the US suffer every year. The condition can cause life-threatening complications, including respiratory failure, kidney failure and septic shock, which occurs when blood flow to the vital organs is blocked. Most sufferers become ill by inhaling tiny water droplets from infected sources, such as shower heads, hot tubs, swimming pools or ventilation systems in buildings. Anyone can become infected, however, at-risk people include the elderly, smokers and those with suppressed immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients. Symptoms usually develop between two and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Early signs include: Headache Muscle Pain Fever and chills People may then experience: Cough, which may bring up blood Breathlessness Chest pain Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Confusion Treatment is antibiotics, usually in hospital, as soon as possible. Prevention involves meticulous cleaning and disinfection of water systems. People can reduce their risk by not smoking as this damages the lungs and makes individuals more susceptible.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Health officials warn of outbreak of deadly lung disease in major US city
Health officials in New York have issued a warning following the outbreak of a deadly lung disease in parts of the city. The NYC Health Department is currently investigating a community cluster of five cases of Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem. The patients are located in neighborhoods with the ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, and 10037. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation, and complications from the disease can be fatal. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella that is primarily spread through the inhalation of contaminated water droplets or aerosols. These contaminated droplets can be released from various water sources, including cooling towers, hot tubs, showers, and decorative fountains. To date, there have been no deaths associated with the cluster of patients reported in New York. The source of the infections is unknown and the Health Department is actively investigating these cases and is sampling and testing water from all cooling tower systems in the area. 'Any New Yorkers with flu-like symptoms should contact a health care provider as soon as possible,' deputy chief medical officer Dr Toni Eyssallenne said in a statement. She added: 'Legionnaires' disease can be effectively treated if diagnosed early. 'But New Yorkers at higher risk, like adults aged 50 and older, those who smoke or have chronic lung conditions should be especially mindful of their symptoms and seek care as soon as symptoms begin.' In general, the CDC reports that cases of Legionnaires' disease have been increasing since the early 2000s, with a peak in 2018. While reported cases dropped during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, they rebounded in 2021. From 2015 to 2020, the bacteria Legionella caused 184 disease outbreaks in the US, resulting in 786 illnesses, 544 hospitalizations and 86 deaths. About one in 10 people who become sick will die. There is no recent data for Legionnaires' disease. The odds of death are higher when the disease is contracted in a hospital setting, with at least one in four dying. Early symptoms of Legionnaire's include fever, loss of appetite, headache, lethargy, muscle pain, and diarrhea. The severity can range from a mild cough to fatal pneumonia, and treating infection early with antibiotics is key for survival. Legionella can colonize and grow within complex communities of microorganisms called biofilms that form on surfaces within water systems. Once there, the bacteria seeps into the water and becomes aerosolized. Plumbing systems, especially those associated with warm water, such as hot water tanks and distribution pipes, can also serve as reservoirs for Legionella bacteria to multiply. From there it can contaminate water in pipes. Stagnant or low-flow areas in pipes also foster Legionella growth. Legionella bacteria can multiply significantly in the hot water systems of large buildings like hospitals due to several factors, such as water temperatures below 50 degrees Celsius, areas where water doesn't flow well and collects, the presence of amoebas and other bacteria, and the materials used in the pipes. Earlier this year, one person died and several were hospitalized due to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease at a senior living facility in Vermont. It originated from the care home's water system. Another recent victim of Legionnaires' was 71-year-old Barbara Kruschwitz from Massachusetts died of the disease in 2023 one week after staying at a resort in New Hampshire. Her husband Henry said she had gone swimming in the hotel's pool and hot tub. He said: 'Her heart had stopped and she couldn't be revived. And - that's about as much as I can say.' Water treatment plants typically use a disinfectant such as chlorine to clean out the potable water system. The most reliable way to determine if your water is contaminated with Legionella is to have it tested by a qualified laboratory. Home testing kits are also available, which involve collecting water samples and sending them to a lab for analysis. Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia that causes lung inflammation. It is caused by a bacterium, known as Legionella. Around 500 people in the UK and 6,100 in the US suffer every year. The condition can cause life-threatening complications, including respiratory failure, kidney failure and septic shock, which occurs when blood flow to the vital organs is blocked. Most sufferers become ill by inhaling tiny water droplets from infected sources, such as shower heads, hot tubs, swimming pools or ventilation systems in buildings. Anyone can become infected, however, at-risk people include the elderly, smokers and those with suppressed immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients. Symptoms usually develop between two and 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. Early signs include: Headache Muscle Pain Fever and chills People may then experience: Cough, which may bring up blood Breathlessness Chest pain Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Confusion Treatment is antibiotics, usually in hospital, as soon as possible. Prevention involves meticulous cleaning and disinfection of water systems. People can reduce their risk by not smoking as this damages the lungs and makes individuals more susceptible.
