‘Legionella’ warning

Christchurch: Keen gardeners in Canterbury are being reminded to take precautions to guard against Legionnaires’ disease.

It comes after 23 cases of the disease have already been confirmed in the region this year.

Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Ramon Pink said the disease, which is a form of pneumonia and can be fatal, thrives in bags of potting mix and compost.

‘‘It’s caused by the Legionella bacteria that live in moist organic material and people can catch the disease by inhaling airborne droplets or particles containing the bacteria,’’ he said. — RNZ