Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 1, 2024 3:04:08 GMT
GPs warned amid worsening Legionnaires’ disease outbreak - Published July 31, 2024
Healthcare professionals should have a ‘high index of suspicion’ for the disease, with dozens of cases already confirmed across Victoria.
An urgent warning has been issued to Victorian GPs to monitor their patients for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease (legionellosis), as an outbreak of the potentially deadly condition continues to grow.
The Victorian Health Department has revealed a ‘significant increase’ in cases across metropolitan Melbourne since Friday, with fears it could spread further afield.
There are now 33 confirmed and 10 suspected cases of the disease, with many patients requiring hospitalisation and multiple being admitted to intensive care for severe community acquired pneumonia.
Those most impacted are aged 40 years and above and all have visited or live in metropolitan Melbourne.
GPs have been urged to consider Legionnaires’ disease in patients presenting with compatible symptoms who live in, work in or have visited metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas.
Victoria Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said Legionnaires’ disease is an urgent notifiable condition which requires notification to the Health Department upon initial diagnosis or clinical suspicion.
‘Healthcare professionals should have a high index of suspicion for Legionnaires’ disease in patients with compatible symptoms, particularly community acquired pneumonia with risk factors,’ she said.
‘If Legionnaires’ disease is suspected, request urgent urinary antigen testing through your normal pathology provider.
‘As a priority, order Legionella culture and PCR, for example an “atypical pneumonia PCR” panel on sputum or other respiratory fluid samples [such as] bronchial washings, endotracheal aspirates.
‘Serology can be requested on blood at symptom onset and three to six weeks later as convalescent serology.’
Urgent investigations are currently underway to identify the source of the outbreak, including testing of local cooling towers and other potential sources.
Operators of cooling towers in the metropolitan Melbourne area are advised to ensure they are up to date with their cooling tower testing, servicing and auditing requirements.
As well as those aged 40 years and above, people at greater risk of infection include smokers, those with a chronic lung disease, and who have a weakened immune system or other underlying medical conditions.
‘Legionnaires’ disease usually presents as a chest infection with symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches and pains,’ Dr Looker said.
‘Other atypical symptoms may include confusion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
‘Some people with Legionnaires’ disease may also develop kidney impairment.’
GPs who suspect a patient has Legionnaires’ disease must contact the Health Department as soon as practicable and within 24 hours by calling 1300 651 160 and connecting to the relevant local Public Health Unit.
Healthcare professionals should have a ‘high index of suspicion’ for the disease, with dozens of cases already confirmed across Victoria.
An urgent warning has been issued to Victorian GPs to monitor their patients for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease (legionellosis), as an outbreak of the potentially deadly condition continues to grow.
The Victorian Health Department has revealed a ‘significant increase’ in cases across metropolitan Melbourne since Friday, with fears it could spread further afield.
There are now 33 confirmed and 10 suspected cases of the disease, with many patients requiring hospitalisation and multiple being admitted to intensive care for severe community acquired pneumonia.
Those most impacted are aged 40 years and above and all have visited or live in metropolitan Melbourne.
GPs have been urged to consider Legionnaires’ disease in patients presenting with compatible symptoms who live in, work in or have visited metropolitan Melbourne and surrounding areas.
Victoria Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said Legionnaires’ disease is an urgent notifiable condition which requires notification to the Health Department upon initial diagnosis or clinical suspicion.
‘Healthcare professionals should have a high index of suspicion for Legionnaires’ disease in patients with compatible symptoms, particularly community acquired pneumonia with risk factors,’ she said.
‘If Legionnaires’ disease is suspected, request urgent urinary antigen testing through your normal pathology provider.
‘As a priority, order Legionella culture and PCR, for example an “atypical pneumonia PCR” panel on sputum or other respiratory fluid samples [such as] bronchial washings, endotracheal aspirates.
‘Serology can be requested on blood at symptom onset and three to six weeks later as convalescent serology.’
Urgent investigations are currently underway to identify the source of the outbreak, including testing of local cooling towers and other potential sources.
Operators of cooling towers in the metropolitan Melbourne area are advised to ensure they are up to date with their cooling tower testing, servicing and auditing requirements.
As well as those aged 40 years and above, people at greater risk of infection include smokers, those with a chronic lung disease, and who have a weakened immune system or other underlying medical conditions.
‘Legionnaires’ disease usually presents as a chest infection with symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches and pains,’ Dr Looker said.
‘Other atypical symptoms may include confusion, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
‘Some people with Legionnaires’ disease may also develop kidney impairment.’
GPs who suspect a patient has Legionnaires’ disease must contact the Health Department as soon as practicable and within 24 hours by calling 1300 651 160 and connecting to the relevant local Public Health Unit.