Public health authorities troubled by Legionnaires’ cases

Public Health Authorities in the Eastern Townships are concerned after two residents of Sherbrooke and four from Granby have been diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease since mid-june.

Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection contracted by breathing waterborne micro-droplets contaminated with Legionela bacteria that are suspended in the air.

So far, no common source of contamination has been identified and verification of the cooling towers of the buildings involved was carried out and nothing was revealed that exceeded sanitary standards.

The Sherbrooke cases do not seem to be related to each other and are not related to those in Granby. With respect to the Granby cases, an epidemiological and environmental investigation has been underway for three weeks. This disease is not transmitted from person to person.

“The entire public health team, including environmental health and infectious disease doctors, is on the ground to conduct the investigation and take whatever necessary preventive action is required,” says the acting director of Public Health, Dr. Linda Pinsonneault.