Legionnaires' outbreak in Aylmer now easing, with 17 cases and no deaths reported

Tashi Farmilo

The Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Aylmer appears to be winding down, with Santé Québec Outaouais reporting 17 cases linked to the cluster as of early August and no new infections in recent weeks. The regional health authority told the Aylmer Bulletin that the outbreak, first flagged on July 15, is now in decline, and that officials hope to lift the outbreak advisory for the sector within the coming weeks.

The total is a modest rise from the 15 cases confirmed on July 23. The agency said the outbreak has led to a small number of hospitalizations and no deaths.

Efforts to trace the source are continuing at Quebec's public health laboratory, the Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec, which is working to establish where the bacteria originated and how the cases are connected. Several cooling towers have already been tested and disinfected. Officials cautioned that pinpointing the source of a legionellosis outbreak is complex and difficult, since the bacteria can come from more than one place, and they did not name a confirmed source or specific buildings under investigation.

The health authority stressed that the Legionella germ can also take hold in home water systems and pointed residents to the precautions issued earlier in the outbreak. These include keeping a water heater set to 60°C with an anti-scald device on shower and bath taps, running the hot water for a few minutes after a prolonged absence or when a tank has gone unused for several days, and regularly cleaning, descaling and disinfecting devices that can produce fine water droplets, such as showerheads, whirlpool baths, spas, humidifiers and certain respiratory therapy equipment, in line with the manufacturer's instructions.

Anyone with concerns about their health can reach Info-Santé at 811, and further information on legionellosis is available through the Government of Quebec website. Santé Québec Outaouais said it will contact the public again once the outbreak advisory for Aylmer is lifted.