The number of cases in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Melbourne has climbed to 100, as authorities try to prevent the disease from spreading further.
Two elderly people have died from the condition since the first case was recorded on July 26, traced back to a cooling tower in Laverton North, in the city’s west.
There are another 10 suspected cases being monitored, with the Department of Health currently investigating the outbreak.
Most of the cases are in adults aged over 40 and many have required hospitalisation, with a number of admissions to intensive care after they developed severe community acquired pneumonia.
Investigators have visited dozens of cooling towers in the Metropolitan area and most cases linked to the outbreak are believed to have been exposed between July 5 and July 20, with symptoms starting on or after July 15.
Legionnaires’ disease is a rare but severe form of bacterial pneumonia which can cause a chest infection with symptoms of fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches and pains and atypical symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and confusion.
Health authorities are urging anyone who shows signs of the disease to seek urgent medical help.
More information can be found at https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/outbreak-of-legionnaires-disease-in-metropolitan-melbourne
