Submitted by Armen Hareyan on Nov 20th, 2007
Legionnaire's Disease
The Middlesex-London Health Unit is reporting an increase in the incidence of Legionnaire's disease in the community.
On average, the health unit receives one report per year of an individual contracting the disease, however, since July 2007, the health unit has received reports of Legionnaire's disease in three people who live in London, Ontario and an additional two people who live in Elgin County, but work in London.
Of the reported cases, two were received over the summer, while the remaining three were received within the past two weeks. The five individuals who have been infected are males whose ages range between the mid-40s to early 70s; one man has died as a result of the disease.
The investigation into the sources of Legionella in these cases is on-going, and so far they have been unable to pinpoint the source or find common links between those who have been infected.
Source:
Public Health Agency of Canada 