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The Sydney CBD has been designated as the possible origin of four new cases of Legionnaires' disease.
City property owners are now being asked to check their cooling towers at the water after infections.
The four cases were recorded among people who stayed in downtown Sydney in the past month, but this could be a coincidence, according to a public notice from NSW Health.
Dr. Jeremy McAnulty, executive director of health protection government agency, said that no source of these four infections had been identified, but that precautions are currently being taken.
taken.
"As a general rule, when cases report visiting common areas, NSW Health is working with local councils to ensure that cooling towers in the affected areas are well maintained," said Dr. McAnulty.
It is thought that four new cases of legionellosis are due to Sydney CBD. Photo: Tim Pascoe
"Legionnaires' disease can not be transmitted from person to person.
"Symptoms can appear up to 10 days after exposure to contaminated water particles in the air.
"People who develop this condition are diagnosed by chest X-ray and by a urine test and usually require antibiotic treatment at the hospital."
She said that property owners should check to make sure their water towers are maintained and cleaned.
Indeed, epidemics are most often related to contaminated water cooling systems of air conditioning installations of large buildings.
Fever, chills, coughing and shortness of breath are the symptoms. They can lead to serious chest infections such as pneumonia.
Last year, NSW Health strengthened the public health regulation to reduce the risk of legionnaires' contamination in the community, forcing property owners to conduct monthly tests in cooling towers and to notify municipalities of elevated levels of Legionella and other bacteria.
Fever, chills, coughing and shortness of breath are the symptoms.
"Homeowners and building occupants must also ensure that a number of essential safeguards are in place for cooling towers," says NSW's health warning.
"Building occupants already had to comply with Australian standards for cooling tower maintenance, which require regular inspections and cleaning."
So far, in 2019, there have been four cases of Legionnaires belonging to the most commonly badociated strain of cooling towers, Legionella pneumophila, compared with five cases for the same period last year.
For more information on managing water cooling systems, contact your local representative.
Public Health Unit at 1300 066 055.
For more information on Legionnaires, visit the NSW Health website.
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