The legionnaire’s disease outbreak that took place last Friday in Moncton is known to be caused by bacteria in the water that can impact the respiratory system and may even result in pneumonia.
According to the New Brunswick public health, the investigation of the disease is in still its early stages. Although the exact sources of the outbreak remain unknown, the cooling towers in Moncton are considered to be the start of the disease spread.
Investigation In Its Baby Steps For The Latest Case Of Legionnaire’s Disease
The cooling towers are suggested to be tracked through a standard registry that is provincially regulated for consistency as per Moncton City’s communication manager, Austin Henderson.
It is to be noted that the 2019 outbreak of legionnaire’s disease in Moncton was related to a cooling tower and the claims were filed by a class-action lawsuit. Around 16 people were reported to have contracted bacterial pneumonia.
Based on a lab test in Quebec, it was proven that there were high levels of bacteria in cooling towers on the production facility of Organigram’s cannabis. Even though the place was set for regular observation, there is no information available as to how long it continued.
The report made at this time is still to be drafted, according to a spokesperson.
Despite having a list of measures to bring the outbreak under control, registering the water cooling towers seems to be a suitable solution in case if they turn out to be the source of the bacteria.
Louisville’s legionnaire outbreak expert for 40 years, Dr. Richard Miller points out there are four causes for the recent outbreak. He states that the water cooling towers which are a part of the air conditioning systems release an aerosol mist cooling. Individuals who inhale these water droplets can contract the illness. The illness does not spread from person to person.
Miller adds that the other sources of legionnaire’s disease are mainly hot tubs, decorative fountains, and drinking water as well.
In a statement made to CTV news by Dr. Yves Leger, regional medical officer for health in New Brunswick, the province does not have any rules that demand regular testing or maintenance of the cooling towers.
Back in a September 2019 news conference, Leger had mentioned that legionella bacteria might be inevitable and that its spread has to be kept under control to prevent the consequences.
During the same period, he stated that a report will be prepared by the Public Health regarding the changes that can be made as well as a recommendation to have a cooling tower registry. The idea was to have appropriate maintenance and Leger said that he hoped it would have been done in a few months.
On Sunday, Leger told CBC that creating a registry required a lot of work starting from planning the type of format suitable for New Brunswick, getting the partners on board, and more.
He also remarked that even though it is not reliable, a registry may turn out to be beneficial in the future.
Though Leger implied a registry for a single province, a spokesperson for the health department stated that such an action would result in the need for individual municipalities to track the cooling towers.
Richard Miller further states that the spread of legionnaire’s disease can be prevented by practicing the necessary measures, just as in the case of the coronavirus.
In an email by Bruce Macfarlane, spokesperson for the Health Department, it was mentioned that the Public Health had contacted communities to search for assistance regarding the maintenance of registries for the municipality.
It is not exactly clear who is going to track the cooling towers in places outside the boundaries of the municipality.
Macfarlane also stated that the latest report of illness was a person outside Moncton. The preliminary results of the test being conducted at the cooling towers are to be revealed on Monday.
According to Leger, the first case of illness was reported on July 27. There were six cases at the start and among these, five belonged to Moncton whereas the remaining person had visited the city in 14 days of having the symptoms of the disease. All six of them were initially hospitalized while a few were treated at the intensive care unit.
Again, five of the cases were people aged above 50. Additionally, there were many other risk factors for contracting the illness.
Public Health alerts that individuals with cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, and fever must approach medical help at the earliest. This is most importantly applicable for people who are suffering from diabetes, kidney or lung problems, immunosuppressed, or smokers. Individuals above the age of 50 are also advised to do the same.
Precaution measures were also reminded by Leger on Sunday that people be on the lookout for any of the symptoms and take action immediately, especially those who have a high risk of contracting the illness. He added that the current investigation requires sufficient time and that no connections have been found between any of the cases whose study has been completed.
Lyndsay Jardine from Wagner’s Law Firm commented that be it registry or legislative standards, they are sensible enough for having an accountability process.
