Legionellosis kills two in Montreal

The mysterious outbreak of legionellosis in the eastern part of the island of Montreal has infected 10 Montreals, killing two.

The Regional Directorate of Public Health (DRSP) in Montreal has identified various cases over the past 10 weeks in Rosemont-la Petite-Patri and Mercier-Hochelaga-Mysonuev, where the agency described the sudden spread on Wednesday morning.

Despite research at the field level, public health has not been able to confirm a common environmental source that describes 10 common cases.

“DRSP and its partners are continuing their efforts to find a potential source of pollution. Other analyzes are in progress,” a company spokesman said.

Although the outbreak seemed alarming, Montreal Public Health last year indicated that nearly 45 legionellosis cases had been reported on the island. However, there have been 21 cases reported in Montreal this year, including 10 cases identified in recent weeks.

Legionella, a bacterium, is found naturally in aquatic environments, including watercourse. However, it can expand rapidly in some installations, including cooling holes.

The disease is transmitted using contaminated water droplets, but does not spread from person to person. It can cause symptoms such as pneumonia or COVID-19, including fever, chills, cough, muscle aches and severe fatigue.

Public Health invites citizens with such symptoms to contact Information-Sante or their physician at 811, as they are already invited to do so in the fight against COVID-19.

In 2012, a massive outbreak of legionellosis associated with a polluted cooling tower in the Saint-Roach district of Quebec killed 14 people in Capitol-National and identified the spirits associated with the disease.