Recent Outbreaks of

Legionnaires' Disease
The information outlined below is not in any manner harboured or
intended to employ scaremongering tactics, but is simply for your
reference and in order to convey the message that Legionnaires disease
is a real concern. Recorded outbreaks continue to occur throughout the
world in countries with heightened awareness of Legionella & this can be
construed as a direct result of the increased awareness within these
countries rather than reduced risks within countries such as South Africa
with low levels of awareness!!

NZ Beachlands Area, 2 Cases, 1 Death, March 2006

Based on water test results, investigators think that roof-collected water
systems in the Beachlands area (Manukau City, Auckland, New Zealand)
may be to blame for two confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease that
occurred in March, one of which resulted in death. Test results for two
other cases are pending. Beachlands households get water from roof
catching systems and delivery tankers. Health officials advised the
residents to empty their roof water tanks every six months, chlorinate the
water once the tank was refilled, and maintain at least 60 degrees Celsius
in water heaters, but some residents prefer the taste of untreated roof
tank water. Source: Times newspapers, Auckland

Sydney, 10 Cases, 1 Death, February-March 2006

Ten cases of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease were identified in
Sydney, New South Wales (Australia) in late February and early March,
one of which resulted in death. Officials focused their investigation on 70
cooling towers in the vicinity of a shopping center that was reported to be
the common link among the cases. Source: news media

Illinois Hotel, 2 Cases, January-February 2006

The Illinois Department of Public Health ordered a hotel in Lincoln to close
and clean its swimming pool and whirlpool spa after two confirmed cases
of Legionnaires' disease were identified in guests who stayed there in
January and February. Both pools tested positive for Legionella. State
health officials phoned more than 800 former hotel guests, advising them
to see their health care provider if they had symptoms. The hotel
ownership changed in mid-February. Sources: WQAD.com

Rochester, N.Y. Hospital, 3 Cases, 1 Death, January-February 2006

Three patients at a hospital in Rochester, N.Y. contracted Legionnaires'
disease within the last four weeks. One has died. The first case was
diagnosed on Jan. 27 in a patient who was admitted mid-January with
advanced cancer. The second patient, who had been suffering from
hepatitis, died Sunday, Feb. 19. The third patient, who was admitted Feb.
2 and receiving chemotherapy treatment for leukemia, was in satisfactory
condition as of Tuesday, Feb. 21. After Legionella bacteria was found in
the hospital's water system on Feb. 13, all patients were given bottled
water, showering was restricted, and the water system was chlorinated.
Source: News reports

Florida Hotel, 3 Cases, 1 Death, January 2006

A 144-room hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida was voluntarily closed by the
owner on Feb. 3 following confirmed cases of Legionnaires' disease in
three people who stayed there in January. A county health official said the
hotel is the only known connection among the three cases, one of whom
has died. The first two cases occurred in early January, both in men over
the age of 60. Source: Orlando Sentinel

Spain shopping Center, 20 Cases, December 2005

Health officials believe a shopping center in Torrevieja, Spain is linked
with 20 cases of Legionnaires' disease that have been confirmed since 5
December. At least 14 of the ill persons are not from Spain. Sixteen were
hospitalized. Officials suspect, but have not confirmed, that cooling towers
are responsible. They also investigated ornamental fountains and
irrigation systems.

Melbourne, Australia, 5 Cases, November 2005

Five cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in Melbourne in
the last two weeks. A common source of contamination has not been
identified. All five cases are men, two aged 62, and the others 49, 64, and
72. As of early November, three were still in the hospital and two had
been discharged. Sources: The Age; Herald Sun

Pennsylvania Nursing Home, 4 Cases, October-November 2005

Three elderly residents and a volunteer at a nursing home in Harleysville,
Pennsylvania, were diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in late October
and early November. The three residents, all women, have recovered. The
nursing home’s potable water system was disinfected. Source: Associated
Press

NYC Correctional Facility, 2 Cases, October 2005

Two Rikers Island inmates were diagnosed with Legionellosis in October.
Both are men, aged 25 and 44 years. The domestic water system was
chlorinated. The water was also tested, but apparently not until after the
disinfection procedures were carried out. The Department of Health is
monitoring the health of inmates and correction employees.

Barcelona, 19 cases, 2 deaths, October 2005

Nineteen cases of Legionnaires' disease occurred in the Barcelona area in
October. Two of the cases have died, a 44-year-old man with underlying
disease, and an 81-year-old man who died three days after he was
hospitalized. As of late October, several cases were still hospitalized but
doing well.
Christchurch, New Zealand, 4 Cases from Potting Mix, October
2005
Four people in Christchurch, New Zealand contracted Legionnaires'
disease from potting mix and compost bags, including an elderly man who
has died. Health officials do not believe that these cases are connected
with the outbreak that occurred in Christchurch earlier in 2005.

Toronto nursing home, 127 cases, 21 deaths, September 2005

Twenty-one elderly people have died as a result of a Legionnaires'
outbreak associated with a nursing home in Toronto. In all, 127 cases
have been identified, including 67 residents, 30 staff, and 26 visitors of
the nursing home, and four people who live or work near it. Investigators
believe that the nursing home's cooling tower, which is located near an air
intake, was the source of contamination. A $600-million class action
lawsuit has been initiated, claiming the defendants were negligent in the
sampling, testing, diagnoses, and evaluation of Legionella, and are liable
for damages caused by the design, installation, and maintenance of the
cooling tower. In light of the outbreak, the Ontario Ministry of Labour
issued a bulletin on 18 October 2005 that puts employers on notice of
their duty to protect workers from hazards such as Legionella. “It is the
responsibility of employers to be knowledgeable about the hazards caused
by Legionella bacteria and to put in place necessary precautions to protect
workers.”

London, 12 cases, July-August 2005

Twelve cases of Legionnaires' disease were associated with south east
London in July and August 2005, six of which occurred between 27 and 30
August. All twelve were men, ranging from 31 to 73 years of age. None of
the cases has resulted in death. Interviews have indicated potential links
for groups of four or five of the cases, but investigators have not found a
common area where all twelve either live, work, or have visited. Health
officers have tested cooling towers, car washes, and public fountains but
have not identified a source of contamination. Testing of the patients’
homes is underway. Source: Eurosurveillance Weekly

Missouri Hospital, 2 Cases, August 2005

On 3 August a hospital in Columbia, MO reported that two of its patients
had contracted Legionnaires' disease during their stay there. The hospital
suspects that the patients may have become infected with Legionella
while showering. One of the patients has been released; the condition of
the other was not reported. Source: Columbia Daily Tribune

Zaragoza, Spain, 15 Cases, August 2005

Fifteen people have contracted Legionnaire's disease in the northern
Spanish city of Zaragoza since August 16. Twelve have been hospitalized,
four of whom are in intensive care. The source of contamination has not
been identified. Source: TodayOnline.com

Baltimore Hospital Patients, 5 Cases, 1 Death, July 2005

Five patients of a Baltimore hospital were diagnosed with Legionnaires'
disease during a three week period beginning 17 July. The hospital
reported that two of the cases may have occurred there and the other
three were acquired elsewhere. As of 18 August, one of the patients had
been discharged and three remained hospitalized. The fifth patient, an
elderly woman, died 25 July. Source: Catonsville Times

Pennsylvania Legionnaires Convention, 2 Cases, July 2005

Legionnaires disease was confirmed by urinary antigen in two men, 60
and 70 years old, who attended the Pennsylvania American Legion's
annual convention in July in King of Prussia, a Philadelphia suburb not far
from the site of the 1976 convention outbreak. Both have recovered.
Other than being from Pittsburgh, the only direct link between the two
men was that they both attended the convention, but investigators have
not made any conclusions. Source: Associated Press

New York City Area Hospital, 21 Cases, June 2005

A hospital in New Rochelle, NY was investigated in connection with 21
cases of Legionnaires' disease that have occurred since June. Health
officials have said that a hospital cooling tower is responsible for at least
two of the 21 cases. Those who were initially infected had walked by the
tower to enter the hospital. The hospital replaced the tower in July.
Legionella bacteria have also been found in the hospital’s potable water,
which was to be investigated further. Source: The Journal News

Rapid City, SD, 9 Cases, 1 Death, June 2005

Health officials in Rapid City are trying to find the source of contamination
responsible for nine cases of Legionnaires' disease that have occurred
since late May. The most recent case was reported on 24 August. Five
males and four females ranging in age from 51 to 85 have been infected.
A 55-year-old woman has died. The nine cases are scattered throughout
the city. Despite extensive interviews and about 90 environmental
samples, no link has been found. Source: news media

Christchurch, New Zealand, 19 Cases, 3 Deaths, June 2005

Since June, 19 people in Christchurch have contracted Legionnaires'
disease, three of whom have died. According to health officials,
Christchurch would normally have only five or six cases of Legionnaires'
disease in a year. There was no common building or event to link the
people infected, but most lived in Christchurch's western suburbs. Health
officials are focusing their investigation on cooling towers in the area.
Source: The New Zealand Herald

Norfolk Postal Workers, 2 Cases, June 2005

On Wednesday of this week postal authorities found out that two
employees who work the same shift at a Norfolk, Vir. facility contracted
Legionnaires' disease, one of whom has been hospitalized. The news
report did not state whether the cases were confirmed by laboratory tests.
Health officials are investigating. Source: WAVY-TV

Norway’s Worst Outbreak: 53 Cases, 10 Deaths, May-June 2005

Fifty-three cases of Legionnaires' disease were confirmed in May and early
June in the towns of Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg, Norway, claiming 10
lives. The youngest person who died was 69 years of age. Investigators
are blaming an air washer at a chemical plant in the town of Sarpsborg. If
the data support their conclusion, these will be the first reported cases
associated with an air washer. Source: news media

NYC Hospital, 2 Deaths, April 2005

A hospital in New York City has reported four cases of Legionnaires' to the
health department since last month. Two of the patients have died,
although the hospital has not confirmed Legionnaires' disease as the
cause. One of the patients, a 63-year-old man, checked into the hospital
last month for a procedure intended to sustain his life while he waited for
a transplant. On 4 April, his family members were told he had
Legionnaires' disease. He died nine days later. Although the source of
contamination has not been identified, it’s interesting to note that his wife
reported having used hospital tap water to fill the humidifier that was
connected to his breathing mask. The New York State Department of
Health is investigating the deaths. Source: The Journal News.

Spain Hospital, 6 Cases, 1 Death, February 2005

Six immunocompromised patients who were admitted to an oncology
center in Barcelona contracted Legionnaires' disease in late February. The
cases occurred in four men and two women ranging in age from 41 to 81.
One of the patients, a 41-year-old man with advanced cancer, died on 26
February, the day after his infection was diagnosed. Source: abc.es

NSW, Australia, 9 cases, January 2005

Nine cases of Legionnaires' were confirmed in January and early February
in the New South Wales Illawarra region. Eight of the cases were in men
ranging in age from 31 to 84. The other case was a 69-year-old woman.
No deaths have been reported. All registered cooling towers in the city
were tested and three showed elevated Legionella levels, but health
officials did not expect to pinpoint the source of contamination. Source:
news media

Maryland (USA) Condominiums, 3 Cases, January 2005

In late January, the Worcester County Health Department reported three
cases of Legionnaire's disease associated with a condominium tower in
Ocean City. One of the individuals died. Legionella was found in several
water samples collected from the building, but in none of the eight
samples collected from the city water supply. Source: news media.