Hunter New England Health is advising residents affected by flood or stormwater that they are not in danger of contracting Legionnaires disease.

According to Hunter New England Health Public Health Physician Dr Tony Merritt, there has been some concern that the bacterial infection can be spread via the flood or stormwaters.

“Legionnaires disease has not been associated with exposure to flood water and this is a very unlikely source of infection,” Dr Merritt said.

Hunter New England Health can confirm that there has been a single case of Legionella pneumophila in the past week.

All cases of Legionnaires disease are routinely investigated and this case is currently is under investigation.

“I would like to assure residents in the Cessnock region that we do not suspect that this case is linked to the floodwaters.”

“Legionnaires disease is also not spread from person to person, so people need not be worried if they have had contact with this person,” Dr Merritt said.

Legionella pneumophila bacteria is found naturally in moist environments and grows best in a warm environment, usually between temperatures of 20-45°C.

Legionnaires disease can be contracted by inhaling very fine water droplets from water sources contaminated with Legionella pneumophila.

Infection has been associated with water cooling systems (cooling towers), warm water systems or water heaters, shower heads, spa pools and fountains.

Legionnaires disease is a respiratory illness and:

• does not enter the body through cuts or abrasions

• does not enter the body through leg ulcers

• does not enter the body by eating food or drinking water

Symptoms include fever, chills and a cough.

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