London’s legionnaires’ disease outbreak continues as another death is counted
The following article has been rewritten from information originally presented by The London Free Press. You can find a link to the original article at the bottom of the page.
A second person has died in the ongoing Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in London, which was declared in July, and investigators have yet to determine the source of the bacteria responsible for hospitalising 30 people, according to the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
In its first update since August 7, the health unit confirmed that five additional cases have been identified, raising the total to 30, with one more death reported. The first fatality was announced on August 2nd.
According to the health unit, all individuals infected with the disease required hospital care, with nine being admitted to the intensive care unit. The patients, aged between 37 and 76, included 19 men.
“It’s a terrible situation, and I fully understand that,” said Joanne Kearon, the acting medical officer of health for the Middlesex-London Health Unit, on Friday.
Kearon explained that many people with Legionnaires’ disease may only experience mild symptoms and may not seek testing. However, those with confirmed cases typically had underlying conditions that made them more susceptible to severe symptoms.
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious respiratory infection characterised by fever, chills, and a dry cough.
The legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, is commonly found in warm water sources, including air-conditioning systems, hot water tanks, heaters, and plumbing systems.
Although the disease isn’t spread from person to person, it can be transmitted when the bacteria becomes airborne, such as through fans or wind, and is then inhaled.
People at the highest risk include older adults, individuals with lung conditions, or those with weakened immune systems. Despite testing 17 cooling tower sites near the outbreak in southeast London, none have yet matched the bacteria found in confirmed cases. Cooling towers are often used in HVAC and industrial systems to cool water.
Officials have acknowledged that the outbreak’s source may never be identified, but the health unit reported on Friday that transmission is slowing, and the outbreak could soon be declared over. However, the investigation will persist, regardless of the outbreak’s status, Kearon added.
“We are continuing environmental testing to try and pinpoint a source,” she said. “While it’s uncommon, these outbreaks do happen, and in about 50 percent of cases, the source is never found. That doesn’t mean the outbreak won’t end.”
Local authorities were first alerted to a cluster of cases on July 24, which initially appeared to be pneumonia. Two days later, the outbreak of legionella was officially declared. Investigators have been focusing on a 5 to 10-kilometre radius in southeast London, but specific locations have not been disclosed.
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