By HARRISON CHRISTIAN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 06:27 BST, 17 April 2025 | Updated: 06:46 BST, 17 April 2025

A person has died in hospital with Legionnaires’ disease after contracting the dangerous illness in Sydney’s CBD last month. 

NSW Health said there were now 12 confirmed cases of the deadly disease, all in people who spent time in the Sydney CBD between March 13 and April 5. 

‘Sadly, one of the people who contracted the disease passed away in hospital last week,’ the department said in a statement. 

.NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to their loved ones.’ 

Legionella bacteria, which causes the disease, has been found in a cooling tower in Sydney. 

The tower is being decontaminated and health authorities are working to determine if it is the source of the outbreak. 

Anyone who was in Sydney CBD in late March or early April is being urged to monitor their health for symptoms of the disease.

The illness can take up to 10 days to develop, with symptoms including fever, chills and shortness of breath. It is generally not spread from person to person.

If left untreated it can lead to serious lung infections, such as pneumonia.  

A person has died in hospital with Legionnaires' disease after contracting the dangerous illness in Sydney's CBD last month (Legionella Pneumophila bacteria is pictured)

A person has died in hospital with Legionnaires’ disease after contracting the dangerous illness in Sydney’s CBD last month (Legionella Pneumophila bacteria is pictured)

NSW Health said there were now 12 confirmed cases of the deadly disease, all in people who spent time in the Sydney CBD between March 13 and April 5

NSW Health said there were now 12 confirmed cases of the deadly disease, all in people who spent time in the Sydney CBD between March 13 and April 5

Legionnaires’ disease 

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms include a cough, shortness of breath, fever, headache (often severe), chills, muscle aches and pains and loss of appetite.

The symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease usually begin to appear within 2 to 10 days of breathing in the bacteria.

Atypical symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and confusion.

Who is at risk?

The people most at risk of Legionnaires’ disease include those aged over 40, smokers, people with a chronic lung disease or a weakened immune system, or other underlying medical conditions.

:
Aussie dies after being infected with dangerous disease – as new cases continue to emerge after major outbreak in Sydney’s CBD

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk