Severe pneumonia outbreak tied to Legionella bacteria – CTV
July 10, 2025
A recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in southwestern Ontario has raised concerns about potential further spread and the risks posed by contaminated water systems during summer months.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which are naturally found in freshwater environments.
“Legionnaire’s disease is one of the two diseases that are caused by this Legionella bacteria,” Dr. Dale Kalina Samji said in an interview with CTV News Channel Wednesday. “It is a pneumonia, essentially, compared with the less severe Pontiac fever, which is a fever illness.”
The disease is not spread person to person, as people become infected by inhaling water droplets containing the bacteria. The risk is especially high for older adults, smokers, those with chronic lung disease or anyone who is immunocompromised.
“It’s a severe pneumonia that can be treated with antibiotics, as well,” Kalina said, adding some patients may also experience gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
The health unit in London, Ont., confirmed this week that more than 40 cases of legionella have been confirmed within a six-kilometre radius, with one person confirmed dead.
Read more: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/it-loves-water-legionnaires-outbreak-declared-in-london-ont/
