Urgent alert for a mystery outbreak of a rare disease in Melbourne - and it's NOTHING to do with Covid
Health officials are scrambling to find the source of a mystery outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Melbourne with two new cases.
Two Cranbourne East residents in the city's south-east required hospitalisation after they contracted the life-threatening disease earlier in August
Investigations are under way into potential sources of the outbreak, including local cooling towers, pools and spas.
Melbourne is also grappling with its latest coronavirus outbreak which has plunged the city into its sixth lockdown since the start of pandemic.
An investigation is underway after two Melburnians contracted Legionnaire's disease (pictured, Legionella pneumophila bacterium, the causative agent)
Healthcare workers are encouraged to look out for Legionnaires' disease in patients with flu-like symptoms who've been in Cranbourne East since the start of August and to 'consider alternative diagnoses to Covid-19 for respiratory infections and undertake appropriate investigations'.
Legionnaires' is a type of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria, which can be found in natural bodies of water like lakes, rivers, creeks and hot springs.
It can also be found in spas, potting mixture, warm water systems and artificial cooling or heating systems.
The disease does not spread from person to person or by drinking contaminated water, it is contracted by breathing in fine droplets of water containing the bacteria.
Two mystery cases of Legionnaires' disease have emerged in the Cranbourne region in Melbourne's south-east
Those most at risk of catching the disease are people aged over 50, those with weak immune systems, chronic lung disease, or who smoke and drink heavily.
Some symptoms of the disease are similar to Covid-19, since it can present as flu-like with headaches, a fever and a cough. The illness could progress to pneumonia, with some sufferers experiencing confusion.
Anyone with these symptoms who works, visits or lives in the Cranbourne East area is urged to seek immediate medical attention.
Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics can reduce severity of illness and complications.
Melbourne is also grappling with the city's latest Covid-19 outbreak (pictured Melbourne's CBD during lockdown on Tuesday night)