Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
13 July 2012 09:19
Health officials in Auckland have declared the legionnaires outbreak over
Auckland's Regional Public Health Service has confirmed the city's legionnaires outbreak is officially at an end.
There were 17 cases of Legionella pneumophila (Lp1) between February and July but no source was discovered for the outbreak and, as there have been just two confirmed cases in the past 78 days, it has has now been declared over.
Building owners were advised to shock-dose their cooling systems as a result of the outbreak and Medical Officer of Health Dr Simon Baker said it has at least raised awareness of the risks and the need to monitor vulnerable water systems.
"Legionella bacteria occur naturally in the environment and can reach levels dangerous to people. The Lp1 sub-species is commonly found in warm water systems. This outbreak indicates that maintaining cooling tower surveillance and treatment is of paramount importance," he said.
"Any systems that use stored water without heating or cooling sufficient to kill bacteria need to be carefully monitored for Legionella presence and treated if necessary."
Building owners also had to test for Legionella after three to seven days as a precaution during the outbreak and an inter-agency working party may push for legislative changes to make it mandatory to do so every month.
Auckland Council building control manager Ian McCormick said the group, which includes public health and building industry groups, may also suggest putting cooling towers on a register.
Although the outbreak has been declared over, the incident offers a timely reminder of the need for medical travel insurance before jetting off to New Zealand and other countries.
29 September 2016
Tour operator Thomas Cook says its earnings are still being impacted by recent terror attacks.
[more...]
28 September 2016
The English tourism industry is predicted to grow faster than the overall economy every year for the next decade, according to new research.
27 September 2016
Monarch Airlines says its flights are operating as normal amid fears the firm is in financial trouble.
24 September 2016
Slim people who look physically healthy may still be at increased chance of being diagnosed with bowel cancer if they have raised insulin levels, according new research.
23 September 2016
Theresa May is being urged to give the go-ahead for flights to resume between the UK and Sharm el-Sheikh by the head of the cross-party parliamentary group on Egypt.
22 September 2016
Budget airline Jet2.com is to open its first base in the south of England at Stansted.
21 September 2016
Smoking rates have dropped to the lowest level on record in England, new figures show, suggesting messages about the health effects of cigarettes are hitting home.
20 September 2016
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
17 September 2016
British Airways' decision to launch direct flights from London to Tehran earlier this month positions Iran as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2017, according to experts.
16 September 2016
More than 100 flights have been cancelled as French air traffic controllers go on strike again.
15 September 2016
Two thirds of MPs would support an expansion at Heathrow.
14 September 2016
TripAdvisor is launching a new homepage, making the booking of holiday activities and tours even easier.