Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak Leaves One Dead, More Than 40 Infected in London, Ontario
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/legionnaires-disease-outbreak-leaves-one-dead-more-than-40-infected-in-london-ontario-5884557
London, Ont., public health officials have declared an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in the region, which officials say has left one person dead and more than 40 others infected.
The Middlesex-London health unit says there have been 43 cases of legionnaires’ disease in the city of London this year, one of which led to the death of the individual, according to a July 8 news release.
Most of the cases took place over the last week and nearly all of the affected individuals live or work within a six-kilometre radius of one another in the southeast side of the city, health officials say.
Legionnaires’ disease is a “serious” respiratory illness caused by Legionella bacteria, which can lead to pneumonia and be life-threatening in severe cases, according to the health unit. Following exposure to the bacteria, symptoms usually develop within two to 10 days and can include high fever, chills, dry cough, and shortness of breath.
“Legionella bacteria are naturally found in water sources such as hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems or parts of air-conditioning systems,” the health unit said. “If the bacteria are then aerosolized or misted into the air (via wind or fans), people may inhale the bacteria and become unwell.”
While most people exposed to the bacteria do not become ill, some individuals could also experience a more mild illness known as Pontiac fever, which causes flu-like symptoms and generally resolves itself in two to five days. Continue…