Public health authorities in Toronto have determined that a cooling tower belonging to the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the origin of a recent outbreak of a potentially fatal respiratory illness.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) says it has connected recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the Bathurst and Dupont region of the city to a cooling tower at the TTC’s Hillcrest Complex.
The outbreak was traced back to the tower after environmental samples taken from it matched those from a Legionnaires case, public health said in a press release emailed to The Epoch Times on Aug. 26.
The cases involved six individuals who exhibited symptoms between July 2 and July 26, health officials said. All those who fell ill have either been to the area, or are employed or live within a one-kilometre radius of the intersection of Bathurst and Dupont streets.
Authorities have also noted a potential epidemiological connection between this outbreak and five cases of legionnaires’ disease reported at Castleview Wychwood Towers, a long-term care facility located nearby.
No deaths have been associated with the outbreak and a public health spokesperson said there is no longer a risk to the community.
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“The affected cooling equipment was taken offline as soon as it was identified, and remediation measures are being undertaken in accordance with public health guidance,” TPH associate medical officer of health Dr. Shima Shakory said in the press release.
What is Legionnaires’ Disease?
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of lung infection and pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which are naturally present in water sources.
The bacteria can also be found in man-made water systems such as cooling towers, hot tubs, sprinkler systems, humidifiers, and decorative fountains, public health officials said. It is not contagious and can’t be spread from person to person.
Health Canada says the average yearly number of reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease is generally less than 100 nationwide However, the true incidence is thought to be much higher because many people with pneumonia may not undergo testing for Legionella infection.
Legionellosis is diagnosed based on symptoms and diagnostic testing like a urinary antigen test that can show whether a person has recently been infected with the bacteria.
People can become ill with the disease by breathing in tiny droplets of water that harbour the bacteria. Symptoms usually develop within a timeframe of two to 10 days post-exposure, but in some cases, can take up to 19 days to manifest.
Symptoms can include fever, chills, confusion, cough, diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite, muscle aches, shortness of breath, and stomach pain.
Most cases of Legionnaires’ disease can be treated successfully with antibiotics but the severity of illness can vary, public health officials said. Untreated Legionnaires’ disease usually worsens during the first week and, in the most extreme cases, symptoms can progress quickly to organ failure and death.
Older adults, smokers, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions face a higher risk of contracting the disease because their bodies have a harder time blocking and clearing the Legionella bacteria.
Public health officials said the best safeguard against the disease is regular maintenance of water systems in and around the home to prevent the growth of legionella.
