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 are not known to each other, were admitted to hospital with the infection after spending time near Clarence St in the Sydney CBD between December 9 and December 18.

NSW Health has urged anyone who visited the area to be vigilant and monitor for symptoms of the potentially deadly disease.

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

Without treatment, the disease can be fatal.

The disease is not spread from person-to-person and can sometimes be caused by environmental sources, such as a cooling tower atop a large building, which can become contaminated by the bacteria.

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

South Eastern Sydney Local Heath 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 a cooling system are in the air and then breathed in,” he said.

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

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