Legionella Nova Zelandia

Increasing rate of infection perplexes medical experts
Health experts are baffled by New Zealand's accelerating rates of legionnaires' disease, with a Christchurch man the most recent victim.
The 62-year-old man died in Christchurch Hospital on July 29 after being exposed to the legionella bacteria while gardening.
A recently released report, prepared for the Health Ministry, showed a 141 per cent increase in cases, nationally, between 2009 and 2010.
The pneumonia-like infection is usually caught by inhaling potting mix or exposure to contaminated water in plumbing systems, air-conditioning units or cooling towers.
Of 178 cases last year, five people died and 136 required hospital treatment.
In the first six months of this year, there had been 89 cases compared with 63 cases in the same period last year.
University of Otago associate professor Michael Baker said he was surprised and "perplexed" by the report's findings.