NSW Health downplays disease concerns

NSW Health says recent cases of Legionnaires' disease were sporadic and not part of an outbreak, with investigations finding no public health risk.

A stethoscope

NSW Health says recent cases of Legionnaires' disease were sporadic and not part of an outbreak. (AAP)





It comes after opposition health spokesman Walt Secord criticised the state government for failing to reveal where 11 NSW Legionnaires' cases were detected last month.

In a media release on Sunday, Mr Secord said it was customary to disclose the location of infections so people with symptoms could seek medical advice.

But NSW Health communicable diseases director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said the state's public health units followed up every case of Legionnaires' disease.

She said the public would be alerted if a patient had the type associated with warm water and investigations found a likely source for the infection, such as a cooling tower.


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Source: AAP


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