Description of the situation
04 May 2000
Disease Outbreak Reported
The Human Services Department, Public Health Division of the Government of Victoria, Australia has confirmed sixty-six cases, including 2 deaths. All the patients, with one exception had visited the Melbourne Aquarium after 11 April 2000.
Laboratory results for all the cases show Legionnella pneumophila serogroup 1. Test results are pending on a further number of patients who had been to the aquarium and had developed respiratory illness symptoms.
Laboratory test results have also confirmed the presence of legionella bacteria in the cooling towers of the Melbourne Aquarium, which were immediately disinfected. The health authorities have set up a Legionnaires' disease hotline to provide advice and continue to investigate the outbreak.
For further information, please see the Government of Victoria, Australia web site.