Health Authorities Issue Urgent Warning
NSW Health has issued an alert for Legionnaires’ disease in the Sydney CBD. Six individuals, who have no known connection, have developed the disease after visiting the area over the past three weeks. The authorities have urged the public to be aware of symptoms and seek medical advice if needed.
Legionnaires’ Disease: What You Need to Know
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by infection with Legionella bacteria. It leads to pneumonia, which can be severe. Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath. These symptoms can appear up to 10 days after exposure.
Infections typically occur when contaminated water particles from cooling towers become airborne and are inhaled. The disease is not contagious between individuals.
Figure 1: Closeup of Legionella bacteria
Six Cases Reported in Sydney CBD
NSW Health reported that six people have been hospitalised with Legionnaires’ disease after spending time in the Sydney CBD. Director of the South-Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit, Vicky Sheppeard, confirmed that the patients have a common factor: all were in the city centre during the exposure period.
“We are investigating the source of these cases,” Sheppeard said. “It’s possible that not all the cases are linked.”
Source of Infection Still Unknown
The source of the outbreak remains unclear. NSW Health has begun reviewing maintenance records for cooling towers in the area. They are working closely with the City of Sydney to identify and inspect potentially contaminated cooling towers.
Cooling towers are often the source of outbreaks when they are not properly maintained. Sheppeard noted that health authorities are actively working to identify the contaminated tower. They plan to clean it to prevent further exposure.
High-Risk Groups for Legionnaires’ Disease
Legionnaires’ disease can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups. The disease can lead to severe chest infections and even death in some cases. Those most at risk include elderly people, smokers, and individuals with underlying lung conditions.
Sheppeard emphasised the need for people in the affected area to remain vigilant. “We urge anyone who has been in the CBD over the past week and a half to monitor for symptoms,” she said. “People who develop symptoms should visit their GP and get tested.”
Urgent Advice for the Public
NSW Health has advised anyone who visited the Sydney CBD in the past 10 days to be alert for symptoms. The disease can take up to 10 days to develop after exposure to contaminated particles. Early detection and treatment can prevent severe complications.
The health authorities have also reminded building owners of their obligations to ensure cooling towers are properly maintained. Sheppeard said, “Building owners should ensure their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with regulations.”
A Broader Problem: Past Outbreaks in Australia
This is not the first Legionnaires’ outbreak in Australia. A similar outbreak occurred in Melbourne in August, affecting more than 100 people. Two people died as a result of that outbreak. Another outbreak in Sydney in January 2024 saw seven people hospitalised, while three others were diagnosed with the disease near the University of Sydney.
Legionnaires’ disease has a fatality rate of around 10%. It is crucial for people who have symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
Monitoring and Investigation Ongoing
NSW Health continues to monitor the situation closely. The public health unit is inspecting cooling towers in Sydney to trace the source of the infection. Sheppeard assured the public that authorities were taking proactive measures to contain the outbreak.
Precautionary Measures and Reporting
Anyone feeling unwell after visiting the CBD in recent weeks is encouraged to seek medical advice. For non-life-threatening concerns, people can contact healthdirect on 1800 022 222. The service is available 24 hours a day.
For more information on the management of water-cooling systems, individuals can contact their local public health unit or call 1300 066 055.
