Six cases of Legionnaires’ disease detected, health alert for Sydney’s CBD

(ABC) -- Anyone who has visited Sydney’s CBD in the past 10 days has been told to monitor for symptoms of the potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease after six people were hospitalised.

Six people contracted Legionnaires’ disease after spending time in Sydney’s CBD. (AAP: Dean Lewins)

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia that typically develops once a strain of bacteria named Legionella pneumophila (Legionella) infects the lungs.
This bacteria is not spread from person to person but through aerosols.
NSW Health South Eastern Sydney Local Heath District Public Health Unit director Vicky Sheppeard said the six cases “have a common factor of being in the Sydney CBD during their exposure period”.
Those who have been in the CBD over the past week and a half are urged to remain alert for any symptoms of the disease including fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath.
Legionnaires’ disease takes between two to 10 days to develop following exposure, according to Dr Sheppeard.
People who have been in the CBD who develop symptoms during this period are urged to visit their GP to get tested and receive treatment.
More than 500,000 people work in the CBD area, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from cooling towers in large buildings become contaminated.
Over the last three decades, legionnaires’ disease has surged both in Australia and across the world, with experts not certain what’s behind the increase.
Dr Sheppeard said NSW Health was working with the City of Sydney to investigating cooling towers in the city.
“When we see a cluster of new infections like this, we often find that there’s a cooling tower that is contaminated with the bacteria,”
she said.
“We’re actively taking steps to identify that tower and have it cleaned so other people don’t become ill.”
NSW Health has advised building owners to ensure their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with health regulations.

(Latest Update April 11, 2025)