February 17, 2021 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires Disease Outbreak in Australia Prompts Concern Among Health Officials

Seventeen cases of Legionnaires disease have been identified in January in a recent outbreak in Sydney and the Illawarra region of Australia. The Health Director in New South Wales issued a statement where he expressed that while there tends to be a slight uptick in cases around the end of summer, a spike of this size is cause for concern. [1]  This outbreak has prompted health officials to issue a warning that air conditioning towers, referred to as cooling towers in the United States, need to be properly maintained. Regulations were introduced in these regions in 2012 that require business…

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April 13, 2017 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Legionnaires Disease Outbreak in Melbourne Infects Six People

The Victoria Department of Health and Human Services are investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease in downtown Melbourne believed to have infected at least six people within the past two weeks, with more potential cases being investigated. All six of the victims are reported to have worked in or visited the east side of Melbourne’s Central Business District. One of the victims is said to have been hospitalized within an intensive care unit. All reported victims have been released from the hospital. The health authorities believe that the outbreak is tied to 92 cooling towers within the Central Business District of Melbourne. As…

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July 26, 2016 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Queensland hospital cleared of Legionella

A possible source of Legionella infection in Australia has been managed, officials say, thanks to mandatory testing and water treatment programs. The Cunnamulla Hospital in Queensland, Australia conducted regular tests for Legionella bacteria in its water supply, as mandated by Queensland lawmakers. These tests revealed the presence of bacteria earlier this July. Hospital officials shut off water before patients or staff were at risk and chlorinated the water. Further tests have now indicated that the bacteria is gone, though the hospital will continue to monitor the situation. A spokesperson for the hospital pointed out that many facilities in the area…

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July 15, 2016 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Queensland hospital reports Legionella after mandatory test

Legislation mandating that hospitals conduct routine tests for Legionella has paid off in Australia, where a Queensland hospital caught the bacteria in its water supply before patients were infected. A deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in 2013 prompted lawmakers to require that hospitals perform regular tests for Legionella. As a result of such tests, the Cunnamulla Hospital in southwestern Queensland reported last week that its water system contained Legionella bacteria. Hospital officials responded by chlorinating the water system, replacing water fixtures, and retesting the water supply. Thanks to the mandatory tests and the quick action of the hospital officials, no…

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June 20, 2016 zacherlaw 0 Comments

Queensland outbreaks lead to legislation to combat spread of Legionnaires’ Disease

  New water risk management legislation has been passed in Queensland, Australia in the aftermath of a string of outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease at hospitals. A string of illnesses and deaths in hospitals has raised awareness of the risks of Legionnaires’ disease in Queensland. A 2013 outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease at The Wesley Hospital, a private hospital in Brisbane, led to the tragic death of one cancer patient and placed another in intensive care. The bacteria was found in the hospital’s hot water system. This outbreak prompted a string of tests and responses, and the hospital put intensified water-testing measures…

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