A blue collar worker who was suspected of contracting legionnaires’ disease actually has bronchitis.
According to Julie Martineau, spokesperson for the City of Longueuil, there is no concern for public safety.
The pool at the Olympia aquatic centre in Longueuil was temporarily closed following a worry that legionnaires’ disease may have been circulating.
The arena is expected to be reopened by Monday.
City officials took to Twitter to confirm the preventative closure, saying they were advised about a “non-confirmed case that was not declared to the public health department.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious respiratory illness that often results in pneumonia.
In addition to pneumonia, symptoms can include fever, cough, muscle pain and headache.
Symptoms start within two to 14 days of infection and can last for several months.
Most cases can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
People at high risk
The following people are at greater risk of developing the disease:
- Individuals over 40 years of age
- Smokers
- Alcoholics
- People with chronic lung or kidney disease
- People with diabetes
- People with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as cancer or an organ transplant
People who do maintenance work on large air-conditioning systems are at a higher risk of being exposed to the Legionella bacteria.
It is often found in stagnant water, warm water temperatures (between 20 C and 50 C) and the presence of biofilm, scale and sediment in:
- Cooling towers, such as those used with the air conditioning systems of large buildings
- Whirlpool bathtubs, hot tubs and public spas
- Plumbing systems (including water heaters, faucets and showers) either in the home or in larger buildings
- Humidifiers
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