Sydney residents are on high alert after a deadly outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease hospitalized six people. Authorities are racing to trace the source as hundreds of thousands are warned to monitor for symptoms.
Six Hospitalized as Authorities Race to Find Source; Hundreds of Thousands Urged to Watch for Symptoms
Australian health authorities have issued an urgent warning after a dangerous outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease hit Sydney’s busy city center, hospitalizing at least six people.
The New South Wales Health Ministry said on Thursday that anyone who has visited the area in the past 10 days — potentially hundreds of thousands of people — should be alert for symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal chest infection, often leading to severe pneumonia.
Doctors warn that symptoms can take up to 10 days to develop after exposure.
“Invisible Killer” in the Air: Source Still Unknown
Authorities have not yet traced the source of the outbreak.
Health officials believe the bacteria likely spread through contaminated water particles from cooling systems, inhaled by people in the area.
The disease is not spread from person to person — but once infected, the fatality rate can be as high as 10%, particularly among the elderly and people with existing health conditions.
Race Against Time: Cooling Towers Under Investigation
Urgent inspections of cooling towers across Sydney’s city center are underway, with authorities reviewing maintenance records and conducting emergency sampling.
Officials fear a repeat of a deadly 2023 outbreak in Melbourne, where over 100 people were infected and two deaths were reported.
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Anyone showing symptoms is urged to seek immediate medical attention.
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