Toronto Mystery Illness Not Bird Flu but Legionnaires' Disease

"Toronto's mystery illness is legionnaires' disease"

By Matthew Chung
Thu Oct 6,10:29 PM ET

"TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian health officials on Thursday identified the "mystery illness" that killed 16 people in a Toronto nursing home as legionnaires' disease.

"The disease, a type of pneumonia, is contracted by people breathing in small droplets of water contaminated with the bacteria -- often from ventilation systems. It is rare in Ontario, though the bacteria is common in the environment throughout North America.

"David McKeown, Toronto's medical officer of health, said most cases can be treated with antibiotics but older people with underlying health problems are more at risk of becoming seriously ill and dying." Click the title to read the article.

Recombinomics Commentary
October 4, 2005

"Dr. McKeown provided the following update:

- Since yesterday there have been four additional deaths,
for a total of ten in the outbreak.

- The outbreak has so far affected a total of 70 residents,
12 employees and two visitors at Seven Oaks.

- 40 residents from Seven Oaks have been admitted to hospital.

"The above update reveals a much more serious condition than yesterday. The number dead has increased to 10 from 6 and the number of residents admitted to Toronto area hospitals has increased from 30 to 40. Thus, 50 of the 70 residents infected have been hospitalized or died. The deaths are over 14% of the infected residents. In addition, the number of employees infected has risen form 8 to 12, suggesting more residents will show symptoms due to later exposure dates.

"There has still been no etiological agent identified, so negative data for H5N1 remains suspect. The increasing numbers of dead patients should provide sufficient autopsy material for identification of this deadly and highly infectious agent." Click the title to read the article.

With the onset of a possible bird flu pandemic, read Diseases & Impaired Immunity to find out if your own immune system is already compromised. Read more to learn how you can help yourself while waiting for the right vaccine to come along.

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