Montreal public health investigating 3 cases of Legionnaires' Disease
Montreal public health officials are investigating three cases of legionellosis, known as Legionnaires' Disease, including one death.
The Montreal Regional Public Health Department said Wednesday the three cases were reported in the Anjou and Mercier West areas between July 29 and Aug. 8. One of the three people, a man, died from complications of the disease.
The three cases took place in an area east of Highway 25, south of Highway 40 west of George V Avenue and north of the St. Lawrence River. An investigation is underway to determine if all three cases were exposed to the same source. Public health said that the investigation specifically targets the cooling towers with perimeter water.
"Right now, we're trying to find out if these cases are linked," said Jean-Nicholas Aubé, spokesperson for CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal.
SYMPTOMS
The cases are not cause for alarm among the general population, Aubé said. Nevertheless, public health is encouraging Montrealers to remain vigilant for symptoms similar to pneumonia or even COVID-19, including:
- high fever
- chills
- cough
- fatigue
- muscle aches
- loss of appetite
Symptoms may appear two to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. As with COVID-19, call 811 or seek medical attention at the onset of these symptoms.
Aubé said that while transmission of the disease is rare, it's not unheard of in Montreal, with cases reported to public health every year.
Last year, there were 52 reports of Legionnaire's disease. This year, as of today, there have been 27 reports.
SOURCES
Legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, can be found in the environment, mainly in fresh water, but sometimes in significant quantities in artificial water sources like water cooling towers or water heaters.
The disease cannot be transmitted by drinking contaminated water, Aubé specified. Rather, it's transmitted through inhaling contaminated water droplets in the air.
The primary sources of infection are:
- Drinking water systems (especially hot water): water heaters, shower heads or faucet aerators
- Water cooling towers
- Spas, hot tubs, whirlpools or Jacuzzis
- Home humidifiers
- Respiratory treatment devices (e.g. CPAP)
WHO'S AT RISK
Public health officials said the chances of contracting the disease are very low, even in vulnerable people. It is not transmitted from person to person and does not usually affect healthy people.
"The disease rarely, and I mean rarely, affects people that are in good shape," said Aubé.
There is a greater risk for people:
- Over the age of 50
- Who smoke
- Who drink a lot of alcohol
- With a chronic disease
- Who are immunocompromised
- Who have had recent surgery
The fatality rate of Legionnaires' Disease is about 10 to 15 per cent but varies with age, health status, severity of illness, and the time to start antibiotic treatment, officials said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.