Four new cases of legionnaires at NSW

Property owners in Sydney are asked to check their cooling towers after four new legionella diagnoses.

No sources for the four infections were identified, but all affected people visited the CBD in Sydney in January.

The four cases come from a strain more commonly badociated with cooling towers.

NSW Health has asked landlords and tenants to verify that their towers are well maintained.

In 2018, the department strengthened regulations that now require building owners to conduct monthly tests and inform local councils of elevated levels of bacteria, including legionella.

Health Protection Executive Director Jeremy McAnulty said the illness could not be spread from one person to the other.

"Symptoms can appear up to 10 days after exposure to contaminated water particles in the air," said Dr. McAnulty in a statement released Wednesday.

"People who develop this condition are diagnosed by chest X-ray and by a urine test and usually require antibiotic treatment at the hospital."

The disease can lead to serious chest infections such as pneumonia and symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath.