A woman has died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease with cases in Melbourne having more than doubled since the first health alert on July 26.
Elderly woman dies from Legionnaires' disease as Melbourne outbreak continues to grow with 59 people in hospital
"She was an elderly lady who became very suddenly unwell and presented to hospital in very poor health, and passed away that evening,” Dr Looker said. An investigation into the source is focused on two suburbs in Melbourne’s west, Laverton North and Derrimut. “Our priority at the moment has been inspecting and disinfecting all cooling towers in these suburbs, of which there are more than 100,” Dr Looker said.
Most cases were exposed between July 5 and July 20 and largely consist of people who are more at risk including those with weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions.Legionnaires' disease, which the Mayo Clinic classifies as a"severe form of pneumonia", is spread by breathing in drops from water or soil that contain Legionella bacteria. It is often spread through mist from air-conditioning units for large buildings.
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