The outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease that started in July in the Middlesex-London area has slowed down but is still ongoing. Health officials are still unsure where the bacteria is coming from.
From May 1 to September 26, 2024, there were 30 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ Disease. Those infected range in age from 37 to 76, and over half of them are men. All 30 people had to go to the hospital at some point, with nine being treated in the Intensive Care Unit. Sadly, two people have died, and four are still in the hospital.
Investigators took samples from 17 cooling towers near the area where most cases were reported. However, they have not yet found any legionella bacteria from the towers that match the type found in the patients.
Officials have stated that it’s not unusual to have difficulty finding the source of an outbreak like this. They looked at the location of the cases, as well as weather conditions and types of cooling towers, but none of the bacteria found in the environment were linked to the outbreak.
Though the source might never be found, health officials are focusing on prevention and encouraging businesses with cooling towers or similar equipment to maintain them properly. Even if the exact source isn’t identified, the number of new cases is decreasing, and the outbreak may soon be over.
Written by: K. Milhomens
