Health authorities have identified the probable origin of the outbreak of legionellosis that has caused two deaths and nearly 90 cases.
Melbourne is grappling with its worst outbreak of the disease in 24 years, which has resulted in 77 confirmed cases and nine suspected cases.
Tests since then have identified a cooling tower in Laverton North, in Melbourne’s west, as the likely source.
“I can confirm that one of the towers we tested and subsequently disinfected early in our investigation did test positive for Legionella,” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Clare Looker said.
“This gives us greater confidence that we have identified and treated the source of this outbreak.”
Authorities have not yet revealed the exact location of the Laverton North cooling tower due to the ongoing investigation.
Ms Looker said the cooling tower met testing and audit requirements very well.
“Of course, we’ll keep an open mind as to whether there may have been a glitch in the process, but I think until we have more details on that, it’s probably difficult to speculate on what the next steps should be.”
Melbourne faces its deadliest outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 24 years (file image)
This comes a day after a man became the second resident to die from the disease in less than a week.
He contracted the disease on July 27 before dying in hospital on Sunday.
Her death comes after a woman in her 90s died last Tuesday.
The outbreak is the worst in the city since the deadly Melbourne Aquarium outbreak in 2000, which infected at least 125 people, four of whom died.
Most diagnosed cases are adults over 40 years old and about 75 percent spent time in the hospital as a result of their infection.
“I can confirm that we have not been notified of any other deaths,” Looker said.
“I am confident that we have already passed the peak of cases associated with this outbreak.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by a bacteria known as Legionella.
Authorities have identified a cooling tower in Melbourne’s west as the most likely source. Pictured is Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Clare Looker
An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Melbourne has caused two deaths and nearly 90 cases
Most cases can be linked to the inhalation of microscopic water droplets containing the bacteria and it is rarely transmitted from person to person.
Legionella has been linked to growth in cooling towers and air conditioning units, hot water tanks, water fountains, drinking water, swimming pools and hot tubs.
Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches, the state health department said in a statement.
‘Other atypical symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and confusion.’
Those who live, work or have been in the Melbourne metropolitan area and are experiencing symptoms are urged to seek immediate medical attention and get tested.
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