South Eastern Sydney Local Health District is advising people who have been in the Hurstville area in the past month to be on the lookout for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease.
The Public Health Unit launched an investigation into cooling towers in the area to check for Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease, following the notification of two cases of Legionnaires’ disease this month.
Both cases spent time in or near the Hurstville town centre during the time period.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Acting Director of Public Health, Dr Vicky Sheppeard, said symptoms can develop up to 10 days from the time of exposure to contaminated water particles in the air and include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath and may lead to severe chest infections such as pneumonia.
“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.
Public Health Units in local health districts across NSW follow up every case of Legionnaires’ disease and work closely with local councils in the management of cooling towers. Routine testing of cooling towers helps identify contamination early and allows for prompt cleaning and corrective actions.
In 2018 NSW Health strengthened the Public Health Regulation to reduce the community’s risk of Legionnaires’ disease, requiring building owners to conduct risk assessments and monthly tests on cooling towers and notify high levels of Legionella and other bacteria to local councils.
Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person to person. Outbreaks of the disease are most frequently linked to contaminated water cooling systems of air conditioning plants in large buildings.
Maroubra Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) is now open The Maroubra Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) is now open, seven days a week, from 8.00am to 8.00pm. It was officially launched by member for Kingsford Smith, the hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP (pictured at the launch with CESPHN CEO Nathalie Hansen…
Media Release: Central and Eastern Sydney PHN releases Healthy Ageing Strategy to empower older people In response to the increasing longevity and rapid growth of the older population the Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN) is proud to release its new Healthy Ageing Strategy 2023-2028. This comprehensive strategy…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Are your vaccines ready for summer? In the summer season, storms are more likely to occur, which can lead to power outages. Refer to the Cold Chain Toolkit to ensure all vaccination storage requirements are in place should an outage occur. Disposal of Zostavax® Zostavax® vaccine will…
Immunisation Weekly Update: COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine onboarding The Australian Government has accepted the latest advice from ATAGI on the use of the new COVID-19 XBB 1.5 vaccine as part of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Program. All sites currently participating in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program will be onboarded for the three…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Increase in COVID-19 infection cases ATAGI notes a recent increase in COVID-19 cases since November 2023 across Australia and encourages all eligible people who have not yet had their recommended 2023 COVID-19 vaccine dose/s to receive them as soon as possible. A first 2023 dose is recommended…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Vaccination coverage in RACF Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) data suggests that only 36% of people aged 70+ living in the central and eastern Sydney PHN region are immunised against Pneumococcal diseases. Immunisation providers are reminded to check AIR immunisation history statements of patients going into Residential Aged…
Immunisation Weekly Update: Introduction of Shingrix® to the NIP From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccine Shingrix® will replace Zostavax® on the National Immunisation Program (NIP) schedule for the prevention of shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia. It will be available for eligible people most at risk of complications from shingles. A…
NSW urged to prepare for heat wave Severe heatwave conditions are forecast in NSW in the coming days. Please read the NSW Health media release about taking steps to prevent heat-related illness. For further information about staying safe in a heatwave, visit Beat the heat and stay well during hot…