Urgent health warning after three people contract legionnaires’ disease in Potts Point, SydneyAlexandra FeiamNewsWireThu, 19 June 2025 9:05AM
An urgent health warning has been issued for people in an inner Sydney suburb amid several confirmed cases of legionnaires’ disease.
Three people from Potts Point, aged between their 40s and 70s and unknown to one another, have contracted the disease, NSW Health have confirmed.
NSW Health is advising anyone who visited the Potts Point area between June 8 and June 18 to be vigilant and monitor symptoms of the disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is a lung infection caused by the legionella bacteria, and can trigger symptoms including a fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath.
Without treatment, the disease can be fatal.
The disease is not spread person to person and can sometimes be caused by environmental sources such as a cooling tower atop a large building, which can become contaminated by the bacteria.
South Eastern Sydney local health district public health unit director Vicky Sheppeard said all three of those who contracted the disease have been admtted to hospital.
“People can be exposed to the bacteria if contaminated water particles from a cooling system are emitted into the air and breathed in,” Dr Sheppeard said.
“Legionnaires’ disease can develop up to 10 days after exposure.
“Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath and may lead to severe chest infections such as pneumonia.
“People who develop this disease are diagnosed by a urine or sputum test and chest X-ray and usually require antibiotic treatment in hospital.
“Those most at risk are elderly people, people with underlying lung or other serious health conditions, and people who smoke.”
Originally published as Urgent health warning after three people contract legionnaires’ disease in Potts Point, Sydney
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