After a Sydney lady died of Legionnaires’ illness, Australian gardeners have been warned to be cautious while handling potting mix.
The warning was issued by the NSW Health Department after a Sydney lady in her sixties died of a bacterial infection after allegedly inhaling the bacterium while preparing potting mix.
She became critically unwell, was transported to the hospital, but ultimately succumbed to the illness.
While working with potting mixes, soils, and mulch, gardeners are advised to wear a face mask and gloves to avoid inhaling potentially dangerous Legionella bacteria.
Dr. Jeremy McAnulty, executive director of health for the state of New South Wales, stated that people who were older, smoked, or had a compromised immune system were more susceptible to disease.
“Wetting the potting mix beforehand prevents any contaminated potting mix dust from becoming airborne and being breathed,” Dr. McAnulty explained.
Even if you’ve been wearing gloves, be sure to properly wash your hands with soap before eating or drinking, as bacteria may still be present.
When gardening, experts recommend always wearing gloves and a face mask.
Legionella is a potentially lethal bacteria that can proliferate in soil products.
Up to ten days after contact to the bacteria, symptoms such as fever, chills, shortness of breath, cough, and muscle aches may manifest.
In some instances, the sickness can develop into pneumonia, which is often treated in the hospital with medications. Others, though, can be fatal.
A more prevalent form of Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a distinct strain of bacteria that is typically found in contaminated air-conditioning systems in large buildings.
In May, health officials in Sydney issued a warning to city employees after five individuals were hospitalized due to exposure to legionella bacteria.
Aged between forty and seventy, the individuals were suspected to have been infected by polluted particles in air-conditioning equipment.
In response to the infections, health officials increased testing efforts, and environmental officers were entrusted with examining cooling tower maintenance records.
In Australia, there have been 660 cases of the disease since October of last year, with the bulk found in NSW and Queensland.
This is a 200-case increase from the five-year average of 457 Legionnaires cases.
WHAT IS LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE?
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe pneumonia that causes inflammation of the lungs.
This disease is caused by a bacterium called Legionella.
The condition can result in life-threatening complications such as respiratory failure, kidney failure, and septic shock, which occurs when blood flow to vital organs is blocked.
Most individuals become ill by inhaling microscopic water droplets from infected sources, such as shower heads, hot tubs, swimming pools, and building ventilation systems.
Anyone can become infected, but the elderly, smokers, and those with compromised immune systems, such as chemotherapy patients, are particularly susceptible.
Typically, symptoms appear between two and ten days after exposure to the bacteria.
»A Sydney woman’s death from Legionnaires illness prompted a warning to Australian gardeners«