Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Aylmer, Que., declared over, traced to high school

This 2009 colorized 8000X electron micrograph image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a large grouping of Gram-negative Legionella pneumophila bacteria. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Janice Haney Carr

The Outaouais public health unit says an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease centred in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau has officially ended.

Santé Québec Outaouais warned of an unusual number of cases of the disease over the summer, saying all affected individuals lived in or had visited Aylmer prior to infection.

In an update on Tuesday, the health unit said the outbreak was traced to a water-cooling tower at École secondaire Grande-Rivière, a public school in the Aylmer sector. The device was decontaminated and now meets current standards.

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Santé Québec said it recommended to the school board to increase monitoring of the water cooler.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by inhaling fine droplets of water containing the legionella bacteria. It is not transmitted from person to person and cannot be contracted by drinking contaminated water. The bacteria can proliferate in artificial water systems, such as water-cooling towers, as well as home hot water systems and spas.

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Santé Québec Outaouais says to limit the spread of the bacteria:

• Keep your water heater at 60 C and ensure that a scalding device is installed on your shower and bath faucets;
• Run the hot water for a few minutes after a prolonged absence or when the water heater has not been used for several days;
• Regularly maintain, clean, descale, and disinfect devices that may produce fine water droplets, such as showerheads, whirlpool baths, spas, humidifiers, and some respiratory therapy devices, according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.