Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Toronto now at 12 cases

Toronto Public Health building in downtown Toronto pictured here.

The number of people who have Legionnaires’ disease linked to an outbreak in the city’s southeastern area has increased by three, Toronto Public Health (TPH) says.

On Tuesday, the health unit confirmed to CP24 that there are now 12 reported cases, which they said are “locally clustered.”

“The investigation indicates that these cases may be linked as they all occurred close together in time and location,” TPH said.

Officials added that two of the three new cases were known to TPH.

“The increase in confirmed cases reflects additional information received through the ongoing investigation and case follow-up,” public health said in an emailed statement to CP24.

While no source has been identified yet, officials noted that the risk to the public remains low.

Areas of potential exposure have been inspected, they said, adding that samples from possible sources have also been collected.

Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which are naturally present in water sources.

Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and muscle aches. TPH noted that older adults, smokers and those with underlying health conditions are at high risk.

People can become sick when they breathe in small droplets of water containing the bacteria, TPH said, noting that Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from human to human.

The health unit said the bacteria can be found in poorly maintained and man-made water systems such as cooling towers, hot tubs, sprinkler systems, humidifiers, and decorative fountains.

13 cases of legionellosis in Hamilton

Hamilton also reported last week a “cluster” of 13 confirmed cases of legionellosis in the city’s east end and in Stoney Creek.

Last year, between Jan. 1 and Dec. 3, Ontario reported 354 cases of Legionnaires’ disease. Of those cases, 26 died.

Public Health Ontario indicated that cases usually peaked in the summer.