On 1st August, the office of the chief medical officer of health gave a bad news. They confirmed the outbreak of seven cases of legionellosis in Greater Moncton areas.
Dr Cristin Muecke, who is the deputy chief medical officer of health, said that Public Health is working on the process. And it is a process of investigation to determine potential sources of legionella bacteria.
He recommended all the individuals hit by pneumonia or respiratory symptoms like- chills, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches and headache, to seek medical care.
Also, New Brunswick health said that Legionellosis is a disease caused by legionella. And mostly, it is a water borne disease, and found in pond, lakes, streams, air conditioners, cooling towers, whirlpools, spas and fountains.
Legionella Control shared that the disease can be treated with antibiotics. But if left untreated, this disease is deadly. And New Brunswick said that people don’t get sick by drinking water. Home and car conditioning units also don’t have much risk of legionella.
But they said- “Although Legionellosis is not spread person to person, it spreads when the bacteria are present in an infected water source and fine mists of water from that source are inhaled. Anyone exposed to the bacteria becomes infected. Older persons, those with weakened immune systems or chronic diseases, smokers, alcoholics and persons working with man-made water systems. Such as maintenance workers on air conditioning systems, are at a greater risk.”
28 Such cases were reported from 2015 to 2018 to Public Health, in New Brunswick.
