Legionella Blenheim cooling tower

Last updated 17:00 30/05/2011
The same strain of legionella that infected three people last month has been found in a cooling tower in the Riverlands Industrial Estate, near Blenheim, the Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service says.
Medical health officer Ed Kiddle said samples were taken from 19 cooling towers in seven businesses and compost heaps in and around the industrial estate.
Blood tests confirmed three men working in an area surrounding the contaminated tower were last month infected with legionella, Dr Kiddle said. Another eight people who had legionella-like symptoms were tested for the disease, but he was still waiting for the results.
Legionella can be contracted by inhaling spray from infected water or dust from compost or potting mix.
Symptoms include mild to severe flu-like aches, pains and fever with a cough, and sometimes stomach pain and diarrhoea.
Large commercial air-conditioning systems that use cooling towers are potential sources of contamination, as well as hot-water systems, air humidifiers and spa pools.

LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE

Legionnaires' disease is an infection of the lungs (pneumonia) that can occur when a person inhales legionella bacteria. Symptoms include: Sudden high temperatureand/or fever. Dry cough. Loss of appetite. Shortness of breath. Chills, muscle aches and headaches. Sometimes stomach pain and diarrhoea.