Sydney Local Health District’s public health unit is investigating four cases of Legionnaires’ disease linked to the Burwood area. All patients reported becoming unwell between 29 April and 11 May. The unit is working with local councils to investigate all cooling towers and other possible environmental sources in the area.
On 22 May a fifth person diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease was reported from Sydney Local Health District. The patient reported first becoming unwell on 12 May. During his exposure period, he travelled to multiple places but did not visit the Burwood shopping centre or the Sydney CBD.
Cases of Legionnaires' disease are regularly reported unrelated to outbreaks and the places visited by the most recent case are being carefully reviewed. Environment health officers have completed taking samples of potential water sources in the Burwood LGA. So far, there have been no positive test results.
Legionnaires’ disease is an infection of the lungs caused by bacteria of the Legionella family and usually causes fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath.
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