WATCH ABOVE: Precautions are being taken at a Dartmouth apartment building while the Nova Scotia Health Authority awaits test results for three suspected cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Julia Wong explains.
DARTMOUTH – Public health officials say one person has tested positive for Legionnaires’ disease in Dartmouth, and three more suspected cases are being investigated.
All four people are being treated in hospital.
A press release, issued late Wednesday from the Nova Scotia Health Authority, said public health officials met with residents of a multi-unit apartment building on Tuesday where all four people lived. The building has not been identified, and it has not been confirmed as the source of the outbreak.
“Most people have little or no risk of catching the disease, which is not contagious and can’t be spread from person to person,” said Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Medical Officer of Health.
“The source of this small cluster appears to be localized and it’s unlikely that the broader public is at risk. At the same time, it’s important that people are aware and know the symptoms.”
The legionella bacteria is found in soil and can make it’s way into air conditioning cooling towers, whirlpool spas, and showers. Legionnaires’ disease occurs after a person breathes in small droplets of water or mist containing the bacteria.
Symptoms can include fever, chills, dry cough, muscle aches, headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and in severe cases, difficulty breathing or pneumonia.
More information on Legionella can be found on the Nova Scotia Health Authority website.
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