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We've just seen our highest daily COVID-19 count of the pandemic (121), and now this. Via CBC News: Cluster of legionnaires' disease cases found in downtown New Westminster, B.C. Except:
The Fraser Health authority says it has detected a cluster of cases of legionnaires' disease in central New Westminster. B.C..
Six cases have been discovered since June, with the most recent found last week. Two people are currently in hospital, but the health authority did not release their status.
The source of the bacteria is still unknown, but Fraser Health says the exposure is around the downtown quay area.
"It's unusual to be seeing a number of cases concentrated like this, and that's really the reason why we're investigating and also wanted to notify the public," said Dr. Aamir Bharmal, a Fraser Health medical health officer.
Bacteria found in the environment
Legionnaires' disease is caused by a bacterium called Legionella pneumophila that is commonly found in freshwater, groundwater and soil. It can grow and spread in building water systems like cooling towers, hot tubs that aren't drained, large plumbing systems and decorative fountains.
People can get the disease when they breathe in small droplets of water in the air that contain the bacterium.
Fraser Health says while most healthy people won't get sick if exposed to Legionella, the elderly, smokers, people with chronic lung conditions and the immunocompromised are at high risk of becoming ill.
"We really are seeing people who are between the ages of 50 to 70, and many of them have underlying medical conditions," said Bharmal.
Infected people may develop pneumonia and symptoms like fever, shortness of breath, severe fatigue, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
The risk of death for people who develop legionnaires' disease pneumonia ranges between 10 to 25 per cent, according to Fraser Health.
