24 August 2012
folder [featCategs]
Quebec legionnella death toll rises to six
[firstParagraph]
CANADA: The legionnaires' disease outbreak in Quebec from legionnaires' disease has claimed two more victims, bringing the death toll to six.
Described as the biggest outbreak in Canada for years, the total number affected has now risen to 65.
Although the source has not been found, cooling towers are the prime suspects. Earlier this month the Quebec Public Health Agency sent 2,500 notices to the owners of all large buildings within a 1.5km area in Quebec City to clean their cooling systems. Inspections and disinfections have been completed in 28 buildings in two different neighbourhoods, near the provincial legislature.
Officials have criticised the cleaning standards in some of the buildings and there have been calls for a law to force building owners to better maintain cooling towers.