An Outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease Claimed 17 victims in Toronto

[Guest guest]

A deadly outbreak of legionnaires' disease has claimed 17 victims at

Seven Oaks Home for the Aged in Toronto. The death toll from the

outbreak stands at 17, with 70 residents, 18 staff members, and nine

visitors having been affected upto today. Thirty-five residents

remain in hospital. Most of them have been treated with antibiotics.

The home's ventilation and water system have been shut down while

inspectors try to find the source of the bacteria.

Bottled water is being brought in for both the home and the adjacent

Seven Oaks Child Care Centre

The name ~{!0~}legionnaires' disease~{!1~} came from an illness that swept

through a convention in 1976 in Philadelphia. That convention was

held by the American Legion of Pennsylvania.

The disease has two distinct forms: Legionnaires' disease, the more

severe form of infection which includes pneumonia, and Pontiac fever,

a milder illness. Many people may be infected with the bacterium that

causes the disease, yet not develop any symptoms. It is likely that

many cases of Legionnaires' disease go undiagnosed.

Air conditioning systems have been associated with outbreaks of the

disease, and the highest incidence of Legionnaires' disease occurs in

the warmest months of the year, the time when air conditioning

systems are used the most.