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Residents of an elderly community living in the northwest of the country are asked to take extra precautions after two confirmed diagnoses of Legionnaires' disease.
WASHINGTON – Residents of an elderly community living in northwestern Canada are urged to take extra precautions after two confirmed diagnoses of Legionnaires' disease.
The BC Health Department said residents lived in Ingleside, Rock Creek Retirement Living, and the department is currently working with DC Water and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to identify the cause.
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia caused by exposure to Legionella bacteria, which can be found in building water systems and inhaled. Symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease may include fever, shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, muscle aches, and headaches.
Not all people exposed to the bacteria get sick, but some groups of people, such as the elderly, smokers or people with weakened immune systems, are more likely to get an infection.
The health service recommended water restrictions until filters were installed on lavatory faucets and showers to prevent the spread of the disease.
The health department does not release residents' conditions, but DC Water says there is no risk to the general population.
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