Authorities have issued a warning to gardeners after a lady in her 60s died from Legionnaires’ illness in Sydney.
NSW Well being stated the lady died this week from the illness, which might be present in potting combine and soils.
It warned gardeners to put on face masks and gloves when dealing with soil, and to scrub their palms afterwards.
There have been 96 instances of Legionnaires’ illness to this point this yr from micro organism present in potting combine, NSW Well being stated.
Legionella longbeachae micro organism is commonly discovered within the soil and may trigger the lung an infection.
NSW Well being Govt Director, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, stated it is primarily a hazard for older individuals
”Most individuals who breathe within the micro organism do not turn out to be in poor health, however the danger of an infection will increase in the event you’re older, a smoker, or have a weakened immune system,” Dr McAnulty stated.
“Wetting the potting combine first additionally helps forestall any contaminated potting combine mud blowing up into the air and being inhaled.
“Even in the event you’ve been sporting gloves, ensure that to scrub your palms totally with cleaning soap earlier than consuming or ingesting because the micro organism may nonetheless be there.”
Signs of Legionnaires’ illness can develop as much as 10 days after publicity.
Signs embrace fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath, aching muscular tissues, headache, tiredness, lack of urge for food and diarrhoea.