A man who presented himself to Wyong Hospital has been diagnosed with Legionnaires disease, prompting an NSW Health investigation.
The Wyong case is the third case of Legionnaires disease that has links to the Castle Hill area. NSW Health commenced investigations after all three cases revealed that they had spent time in Castle Hill prior to falling ill. It is understood that the Wyong case frequently travels the M1 and Pennant Hills Rd to get to work at Castle Hill. Upon the story breaking, other media outlets speculated that air pollution and dust from the North Connex project could have played a part.
NSW Health did not comment on the speculation but confirmed in a media statement published on February 13, that they were investigating the area and had suspicions of their own on how the disease may have been spread. “All three cases developed the type of Legionnaires’ disease caused by Legionella pneumophila bacteria, a bacterial infection of the lungs, which can develop after a person breathes in contaminated water droplets,” the statement read.
“Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread person to person. “The Hills Shire Council and public health units have commenced precautionary inspections of cooling towers in Castle Hill, as outbreaks can be associated with contaminated air conditioning systems in large buildings. “All patients reported becoming unwell between February 3 to 5.” Dr Vicky Sheppeard, NSW Health’s Director, Communicable Diseases, said Legionnaires’ disease causes fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath.
“The time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically between two and 10 days, so people who were exposed could have symptoms already or develop them over the next week,” Dr Sheppeard said. “The bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease live in water and can multiply in the water used to cool air conditioning systems, so infection is prevented by routinely maintaining and treating these systems. “People outside can be exposed to the bacteria when a water cooling system emits contaminated water particles into the air. “People who develop this disease are diagnosed by chest X-ray and a urine test, and usually require antibiotic treatment in hospital,” Dr Sheppeard said.
Source: Media release, Feb 13 NSW Health Media