Further Legionnaires’ warning for Lidcombe

The Western Sydney Local Health District is urging people in Lidcombe to watch for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease after a third case was confirmed in the area today.

This latest case spent time in the Lidcombe Industrial area. 

Director Public Health Unit, Western Sydney Local Health District, Dr Shopna Bag, said anyone recently in the area who develops symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, including fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath, should visit their GP.

“Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person to person,” Dr Bag said.

“Symptoms of Legionnaires disease can develop up to 10 days from the time of exposure to contaminated water particles in the air.”

Dr Bag said the District’s investigation team acted swiftly to examine water sources in the area when the first case was confirmed and detected Legionella pneumophila bacteria inabuilding’s cooling system.

“The business owners in the building immediately carried out an emergency decontamination and cleaned the system,” Dr Bag said.

“The District’s Investigation team has since undertaken extensive work to look for other possible sources of Legionella pneumophila bacteria in the area.”

This year NSW Health strengthened the Public Health Regulation to reduce the community’s risk of Legionnaires’ disease, requiring building owners to conduct monthly tests on cooling towers and notify high levels of Legionella and other bacteria to local council.

For further information on Legionnaires’ disease visit: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/legionnaires_disease.aspx​