The Victorian Department of Health is investigating a suspected outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in the Melbourne CBD.
Three cases of the respiratory infection have been reported to the Department of Health, which has ordered the testing and cleaning of airconditioner cooling towers in the suspected area.
The three men affected were in the city in early February in the area south of Bourke Street.
Two of the men had also been to Flinders Street station.
Victoria’s deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Brett Sutton said while the men were admitted to hospital and were now recovering, it was important visitors to the city were aware of the symptoms as they could take up to 10 days to appear.
“My message to people who have visited the CBD between late January and earlier this month, and who may be suffering from pneumonia or flu-like symptoms is to visit their GP who will assess the need for testing for Legionnaires’ disease,” Dr Sutton said.
Infection occurs by breathing in bacteria-contaminated water vapour or dust.
This year, there have been 18 notifications of people with the bacterial infection, compared to 11 the same time last year.