There’s been much in the news lately about Legionnaires’ disease, but is all the media attention worth the drama, or just attention-grabbing hype?
Well, fortunately, Legionnaires’ disease is quite uncommon, but, unfortunately, if you are infected it can be dangerous to your health, and often deadly.
The recent outbreak in Melbourne killed two people and an estimated 100 were confirmed infected.
The source was isolated to a cooling tower in the city’s north and it was the state’s worst outbreak in more than two decades. That previous outbreak, in 2000, occurred at the Melbourne Aquarium – 150 fell sick and four people died.
So what exactly is it?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe, and rare, form of pneumonia caused by a bacteria called legionella.
People contract the disease by inhaling contaminated air or soil particles.
According to HealthDirect, the two most common forms in Australia are legionella pneumophila (found in water) and legionella longbeachae (found in soil).
Legionella pneumophila bacteria can contaminate air conditioning cooling towers, decorative fountains, humidifiers, whirlpool spas, shower heads and other bodies of water. Legionella longbeachae can contaminate soil or potting mix.
It is rare to be spread from person to person.
People with poor health including lung disease and compromised immune systems, smokers, people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, and older people are particularly at risk of dying or suffering from complications.
Most cases in the current Melbourne outbreak are people aged over 40.
Outbreaks are usually limited to a specific geographical area or single source of infection.
When does it start?
Victims will begin to experience symptoms two to 10 days after infection.
Most people who contract the disease will only suffer mild fever, but some go on to develop full-blown symptoms that include:
- fever of 40°C or higher
- headaches and muscle pain
- cough
- shortness of breath
- nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- fatigue
- mild confusion.
Although the disease primarily affects the lungs, it also rarely infects wounds and even the heart. Possible complications include septic shock and acute kidney failure.
There are about 400 cases of confirmed and probable legionellosis cases in Australia each year.
The disease got its name from an outbreak in 1976 that was traced back to a convention of US war veterans called the American Legions. In that outbreak, of the 182 reported cases, 29 died. On closer study, other unexplained outbreaks of severe lung infections going back to the 1950s were retrospectively attributed to Legionnaires’ disease.
What can you do?
There is no vaccine for Legionnaires’. If you believe you have been infected, contact your GP immediately.
There are antibiotics to effectively treat legionellosis, but most people with Legionnaires’ disease will need to be admitted to hospital for treatment.
If you are handling a potting mix, always use gloves and a face mask, work in a well-ventilated area and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
If you have a water source such as a water fountain, bird bath, humidifier or spa, make sure they are cleaned and sanitised regularly.
Do you take precautions when using potting mix? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: More bad news for those big bellies
