Health warning as three people contract legionnaires disease in Sydney CBD

An urgent health alert has been issued after legionnaires’ disease was detected in the Sydney CBD.

Three people who did not know each other were hospitalized with infections after spending time near Clarence St in the Sydney CBD between December 9 and December 18.

NSW Health has urged anyone visiting the area to exercise caution and monitor for symptoms of the potentially fatal disease.

Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection caused by legionella bacteria and can trigger symptoms such as fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath.

If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

The disease does not spread from person to person and can sometimes be caused by environmental sources that can be contaminated by bacteria, such as a cooling tower at the top of a large building.

Health authorities are working with the City of Sydney to provide access to cooling towers in the area.

South East Sydney Local Health District acting director Mark Ferson said the source of the infection was not yet known and it was possible the cases were not linked.

“People are exposed if contaminated water particles from the cooling system are in the air and then inhaled,” he said.

“Symptoms can develop up to 10 days after exposure and can include fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath, and can lead to serious chest infections such as pneumonia.

“Those most at risk include the elderly, people with underlying lung disease or other serious health conditions, and smokers.”