Toronto Public Health investigating legionnaires’ disease outbreak near downtown core

Toronto Public Health is investigating a new outbreak of legionnaires' disease in an area near downtown Toronto. The six confirmed cases of the illness are spread across a one-kilometre radius of the intersection of Bathurst and Dupont streets. The victims were individuals who lived, worked in or visited the area, and developed symptoms between July 2 and July 26.

Health officials are looking into whether the outbreak may be linked to a previous case of five legionnaires' disease cases at Castleview Wychwood Towers, a long-term care home nearby. Legionnaires' disease is caused by legionella bacteria present in water sources and can be contracted by inhaling small droplets of water containing the bacteria.

Public health officials are conducting on-site inspections, environmental sampling and implementing precautionary control measures, but have not yet identified a confirmed source of infection.