One person has died and over 40 others have fallen ill in a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in London, Ontario. Health officials reported that most cases appeared within the past week, mainly affecting people in the southeast area of the city.
“I know that is what most people are anxious to understand, is where it is coming from, and so are we. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have a location,” said Dr. Joanne Kearon from the Middlesex-London Health Unit, which declared the outbreak after cases spiked well above normal levels.
This marks London’s second Legionnaires’ outbreak in two years. Last summer’s outbreak infected 30 people and killed two. Health officials never found the exact source of that outbreak, and the current investigation faces similar challenges despite environmental testing of cooling systems throughout the affected area.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria found in water sources like cooling towers, hot tubs, and large plumbing systems. People get sick by breathing in tiny water droplets containing the bacteria, not through person-to-person contact.
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Symptoms appear 2-10 days after exposure and include high fever, chills, cough, and breathing difficulties. While anyone can get infected, those over 50, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems or lung conditions face higher risks.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist at Toronto General Hospital, explained that improved testing has made the disease easier to detect in recent years. “It’s not in the air — it’s in water — but you can usually pinpoint it to a common source,” he noted.
Health officials advise business owners and property managers to properly maintain cooling equipment. Homeowners should regularly clean water fixtures like showerheads and hot tubs. Anyone experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath should seek medical attention.
The health unit considers the overall public risk “low” and expects the outbreak will naturally end later in the summer when cooling systems shut down for the season.