Legionnaires’ disease outbreak kills one man, infects six others in Potts Point

3 months ago 12

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One man has died, and six others have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease connected to an outbreak of the waterborne bacteria in a Sydney harbourside suburb.

Health authorities and the City of Sydney are investigating the source of the outbreak in Potts Point, one of the state’s most affluent postcodes of fewer than 10,000 residents.

Legionnaires’ disease can lead to potentially fatal pneumonic lung damage in vulnerable patients.

A man in his eighties has died of the infection after becoming ill in late June. One of the affected people is recovering in the hospital, and five others have 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,” Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) said in a statement on Thursday.

The cases range in age from 45 to 95 and were exposed between May 13 and July 12, according to an SESLHD alert.

Investigators are inspecting and testing all potential contaminated water sources in the areas visited by the seven people diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since May, the statement read.

No Legionella – the type of bacterium that causes the infection – has been detected so far in their investigations.

“The district has requested building owners disinfect their cooling towers on two occasions since the investigation began in June,” SESLHD District Public Health Unit Director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said.

Legionnaires’ outbreaks can sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources, such as cooling towers on top of large buildings, become contaminated.

It is not spread from person to person.

The disease can develop up to 10 days from first exposure, and can lead to severe chest infections and pneumonia. It is diagnosed by a urine or sputum test and chest X-ray, and usually requires antibiotic treatment in hospital.

“People who have recently been in Potts Point and develop these symptoms should see their GP or go to a hospital emergency department,” Sheppeard said.

NSW Health first alerted the public to a potential outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in Potts Point on 20 June, after three people developed the infection. Another two people were diagnosed within four days.