Woman dies amid outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Victoria
A woman has died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease as health authorities battle the worst outbreak seen in more than two decades.
Victoria’s chief health officer Dr Clare Looker said the woman in her 90s had died in Melbourne this week.
She revealed investigators are still searching for the source of the outbreak, but they suspect it may have originated from the Derrimut and Laverton North areas.
Melbourne has recorded 60 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease this week, and authorities are investigating another 10 suspected cases.
The outbreak is the state’s largest since 2000, when more than 100 people contracted Legionnaires’ and four people died after cooling towers at Melbourne Aquarium became infected with the harmful bacteria.
It has predominantly affected adults aged over 40 who have visited or reside in metropolitan Melbourne.
Camera IconAn outbreak of Legionnare’s disease is spreading throughout Melbourne. Newswire / Nicki Connolly Credit: News Corp Australia
Health authorities are warning Australians over 40 who smoke and have underlying medical conditions are most at risk.
The majority of cases have required hospitalisation, with multiple patients requiring admission into intensive care for severe pneumonia.
Anyone who has visited the city or surrounding areas and develops symptoms is advised to seek urgent medical attention.
Legionnaires’ disease typically presents as a chest infection, with symptoms such as a fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches and pains.
Other less common symptoms include confusion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Legionnaires’ disease is commonly found in natural bodies of water, including rivers, lakes, creeks and hot springs.
However, it can also be found in spas, warm water systems and artificial systems that use water for cooling, heating or industrial processes such as cooling towers.
It is spread by breathing in fine droplets of water that contain legionella bacteria.
It is not commonly spread from person-to-person or by drinking contaminated water.
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