Sydney building owners have been warned to guard against legionnaires disease outbreaks by checking their water cooling towers, after four people contracted the condition.
The four individuals contracted the legionnaires strain Legionella pneumophilia, which is commonly found in contaminated water cooling towers in large buildings, NSW Health reported on Wednesday.
They had all spent time in the CBD over the past month, but this may have been a coincidence.
The health department reminded building owners and occupiers of their obligation to maintain and clean their water cooling systems for air conditioning plants.
In 2016, 15 people contracted the pneumonia-like condition after visiting the Sydney CBD during two separate outbreaks linked to two water cooling towers.
Executive director of health protection, Dr Jeremy McAnulty said that while no source of these four infections has been identified, precautions are being taken.
Legionnaires’ disease occurs after a person breathes in contaminated water or dust and outbreaks have been associated with the air conditioning units used in large buildings.
“People who develop this disease are diagnosed by chest X-ray and a urine test and usually require antibiotic treatment in hospital," Dr McAnulty said.
Public Health Units in Local Health Districts across NSW follow up every case of Legionnaires’ disease.
In response to the 2016 outbreaks, NSW Health strengthened the Public Health Regulation, requiring building owners to conduct monthly tests on cooling towers and notify high levels of Legionella and other bacteria to local councils.