One person dead after legionnaires’ disease outbreak

One person has died following an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in Sydney’s central business district (CBD) prompting authorities to issue a health alert.

New South Wales (NSW) Health said 12 people who spent time in the city and surrounding suburbs between March and April had contracted the deadly disease.

“Sadly, one of the people who contracted the disease passed away in hospital last week,” a NSW Health spokesman said on Wednesday.

Authorities tested more than 165 cooling towers in the city and detected legionella bacteria in one.

The cooling tower is being decontaminated and further tests are being conducted to determine if it was the source of the outbreak.

Anyone who was in the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs between March and April is urged to be aware of symptoms including fever, chills, coughing and shortness of breath.

Symptoms can develop up to 10 days after exposure and anyone who experiences symptoms should see their doctor.

South Eastern Sydney Local Heath District Public Health Unit Director Vicky Sheppeard said 11 people with the disease had been hospitalised and one person received care out of hospital.

“Legionnaires’ disease is caused by infection with legionella bacteria,” Dr. Sheppeard said.

“Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated. It is not spread from person to person.

“NSW Health continues to work closely with the City of Sydney to identify, inspect and sample any cooling towers in the CBD potentially implicated in the outbreak.

“Most building owners have responded quickly to ensure that their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022.”