Vic: Legionnaires' source not found in Melbourne's west

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2007
Vic: Legionnaires' source not found in Melbourne's west

By Nick Lenaghan

MELBOURNE, April 5 AAP - Health authorities have so far failed to identify the source
of a cluster of legionnaires' cases in Melbourne's inner west but believe the area is
now safe.

Two cases of the disease have been confirmed while authorities are awaiting blood test
results on a probable third case.

The state's deputy chief health officer, John Carnie, said 21 cooling towers - which
can harbour the legionella bacteria - had been disinfected in the region even though they
had showed no sign of the bug.

"So far we have not identified the source and we don't think there is any ongoing risk,"

Dr Carnie told reporters today.

"All of the cooling towers that were looked at in the areas where these people live
and work have turned out to be negative but they have in any case been disinfected as
a precaution."

Health authorities will continue trying to identify a source although it was possible
one may never be found.

Dr Carnie said it was also possible a cooling tower that had previously harboured the
bacteria had since tested negative during the health department checks.

A 48-year-old man from Tottenham and a 79-year-old woman from Seddon were recovering
at home after being diagnosed with legionnaires' disease in January and March.

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old woman from Yarraville with symptoms consistent with the disease
is awaiting test results.

Dr Carnie said people in Melbourne's inner west - including Maribyrnong, Tottenham,
Seddon and Footscray - should go about their usual activities.

But anyone suffering ongoing flu-like symptoms or respiratory problems should consult
a doctor, he said.

"They should perhaps see a doctor and indicate the fact that they've heard on the media
that there's been a small cluster of cases and suggest that they could be tested for the
disease."

There have been seven cases of legionnaires' disease in Victoria this year, compared
with 28 for the same period last year.

Even so, a spike in cases usually occurs during the autumn months.

"With the changing of the seasons as the daily temperature varies, there may be a tendency
sometimes to turn cooling tower systems on and off," Dr Carnie said.

"Therefore there may be a chance for legionella bacteria sometimes to grow in cooling
tower systems."

AAP nl/dk/srp/de

KEYWORD: LEGIONNAIRES NIGHTLEAD

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.