TTC cooling tower source of legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Toronto: public health

TORONTO - Public health officials in Toronto have determined a Toronto Transit Commission cooling tower to be the source of a recent outbreak of legionnaires’ disease. Officials investigated an outbreak of six confirmed cases within a one-kilometre radius of the intersection of Bathurst and Dupont streets. The cooling tower at the TTC’s Hillcrest Complex was found to be the source after samples matched a sample from a legionnaires case.

Dr. Shima Shakory, associate medical officer of health, stated that local public health officials are confident the cooling tower caused the outbreak. The Toronto Transit Agency worked closely with health officials and shut down the cooling system. Four TTC employees were among the six cases. Legionnaires’ disease is caused by legionella bacteria found in water sources and can lead to respiratory illness when inhaled. The risk to the public remains low.