Toronto Public Health investigating legionnaires’ disease outbreak near downtown core

Toronto Public Health is investigating a new outbreak of legionnaires' disease in a one-kilometre radius around the intersection of Bathurst and Dupont streets in downtown Toronto. Six confirmed cases have been recorded, involving individuals who live, work or have visited the area between July 2 and July 26. Authorities are working to determine if this may be connected to a previous outbreak of five legionnaires' disease cases at the Castleview Wychwood Towers long-term care home in the vicinity.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by legionella bacteria present in water sources, which can lead to breathing in small droplets containing the bacteria. It does not spread from person to person, and the risk to the public is currently deemed low. Toronto Public Health is conducting on-site inspections, environmental sampling, and implementing precautionary control measures. The source of infection has not yet been confirmed.