Toronto's Mystery Ilness: Legionella
Tests had previously ruled out SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, which killed 44 people in the Toronto area in 2003.
Officials believe the legionnaires' disease outbreak, which was first detected on September 25, is now under control as there have been no new cases since Monday. They are treating about 80 people with antibiotics and an environmental investigation is under way at the nursing home.
The building's ventilation system has been shut down while tests are carried out and staff and residents are being asked not to drink the tap water.
Legionnaires' disease got its name in 1976 when a group of American Legionnaires at a Philadelphia convention suffered an outbreak of the lung infection.
The bacteria forms naturally in the environment, usually in water, and grows best in warm water such as hot water tanks, large plumbing systems or air conditioning systems.
posted by jimboses @ 8:45 PM
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