Toronto Public Health probing another Legionnaires' disease outbreak
· Toronto Sun
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For the second time in three months, officials with Toronto Public Health are probing an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the city.
On Monday, public health officials announced they’ve launched an investigation into half a dozen confirmed cases of the potentially fatal respiratory disease, zeroing in on a one-kilometre radius of the intersection of Bathurst and Dupont Sts.
“To date, six confirmed cases have been identified among people who live, work or have visited the area. The individuals became symptomatic between Thursday, July 2 and Sunday, July 26,” TPH said in a press release.
Toronto Public Health says they’re investigating possible sources of the bacteria, through on-site inspections and environmental sampling.
“No source of infection has been confirmed, and the investigation remains ongoing,” the release read.
“TPH has notified local hospitals and health partners to help identify and report any additional potential cases.”
Not the first outbreak this year
Officials also suspect this outbreak may be linked to similar appearances of Legionnaires’ disease at Castleview Wychwood Towers, a city-owned long-term care home located northeast of Dupont and Christie, adjacent to the TTC’s Hillcrest transit yard.
Five confirmed cases came associated with that specific outbreak, the city says, with the most recent patient developing symptoms on July 19.
While cases in Toronto are rare, this latest Legionnaires’ outbreak is the second to hit the city this year.
At least 12 people were diagnosed in an outbreak in May in the city’s southeast .
In Ontario, roughly 200 to 300 cases are reported annually — almost always small, isolated outbreaks.
What to know about Legionnaires
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe and potentially deadly form of pneumonia caused by inhaling tiny water droplets contaminated with Legionella bacteria.
Cases usually peak in late summer, as Legionella bacteria thrive in warm water.
The bacteria aren’t spread through person-to-person contact with those afflicted, but via man-made water systems like building cooling towers, hot tubs, humidifiers, and large plumbing or fire sprinkler networks.
The disease got its name following a 1976 outbreak of a mysterious respiratory ailment at an American Legion veterans’ convention in Philadelphia, where more than 200 delegates fell ill with severe pneumonia after inhaling the bacteria, which had been breeding in the hotel’s air conditioning system.
“Symptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath and muscle aches. Illness can range in severity, with older adults, people who smoke and individuals with underlying health conditions at greater risk,” Toronto Public Health said.