NSW Health put out an urgent warning last week to people who have visited the Sydney CBD in the past 10 days to look out for symptoms of Legionnaires' disease after seven people were diagnosed in the past three weeks.
The warning period included Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve, stated NSW Health.
The seven people, three women and four men ranging in age from their 20s to 70s, independently visited various CBD locations between Bathurst Street, Sussex Street, Elizabeth Street and Circular Quay, SMH has reported.
All seven people have been identified with the Legionella bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease, which is often associated with contaminated cooling towers of large buildings.
People can be exposed to the bacteria if contaminated water particles from a cooling system are emitted into the air and breathed in as Legionnaires' disease cannot be spread from person to person.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease 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.
Pharmacists can inform their customers to watch out for these symptoms, with treatment often involving antibiotics administered in hospital, as those with underlying lung conditions and smokers are most at risk.
NSW Health officers are apparently working with the City of Sydney Council to inspect cooling towers in the city for traces of the disease and are reviewing maintenance records of cooling towers to help identify possible contaminated buildings.
A NSW Health fact sheet on Legionnaires' disease stated that 10% of those who contract the disease die despite treatment. JG
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