Health Authorities Warn of Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak in Melbourne

There’s been a significant outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Melbourne, with nearly 30 cases reported since Friday. Authorities are quite concerned, as many of those infected have ended up in hospitals, and some are even in intensive care.

According to Dr. Clare Looker, Victoria‘s chief health officer, there are currently 22 confirmed cases, with an additional six suspected cases. Health officials are urging anyone showing symptoms like chest infections or fever to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease can include chills, cough, headache, and muscle aches, and the outbreak is affecting primarily those over the age of 40, particularly individuals with underlying health issues or weakened immune systems.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas mentioned that authorities are still working on pinpointing the source of the outbreak, which she described as troubling. People who have been in or around metropolitan Melbourne should be vigilant and report any concerning symptoms immediately.

The disease is not contagious from person to person; rather, it typically spreads through inhaling contaminated water or dust particles. Experts are currently investigating local cooling towers as a potential source of this outbreak.

Dr. Looker emphasized that if you’ve visited or live in the affected areas of metropolitan Melbourne and start to experience symptoms, it’s very important to consult a healthcare provider.