Recent Outbreaks Of Legionnaires May06

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.