Legionnaires outbreak: 1 dead, 40 people sick in London, Ontario

Legionnaires outbreak: 1 dead, 40 people sick in London, Ontario
Legionnaires outbreak: 1 dead, 40 people sick in London, Ontario

Public health has declared a Legionnaires outbreak in London, Ontario, with one person dead and 43 confirmed cases in 2025.

The Middlesex-London Health Unit stated that up to 35 those 43 cases that were reported last week are within six kilometres of each other in Southeast London, marking the second Legionnaires outbreak of 2025.

Legionnaires’ disease is a rare respiratory disease caused by Legionella bacteria that may lead to pneumonia, with numerous symptoms, including high fever and chills.

According to the health unit, the bacteria are discovered in water sources such as water tanks and cooling towers, and the team is currently working to detect the actual source of the ongoing outbreak.

In 2024, a similar outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease was reported in London which infected up to 30 people, with two people dead.

Public Health Ontario stated that most of the cases of legionellosis in the province occur between June and September.

In addition, Legionella bacteria are “ubiquitous” in the environment, and many of the cases in Ontario are “sporadic and not linked to an identified outbreak.”

Are legionnaires contagious?

Individuals can contract the infection by breathing in tiny droplets of contaminated water that were aerosolised by air. Notably, it’s not a contagious disease and is not transmitted through person-to-person contact.

Related
Read more : Health

THESE common meds do not cause inflammatory bowel disease, study

THESE common meds do not cause inflammatory bowel disease, study
Medicines including NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen, ACE inhibitors, aren’t linked to a higher risk of microscopic colitis

Juice, smoothies and soft drinks can dehydrate you in hot weather, say experts

Juice, smoothies and soft drinks can dehydrate you in hot weather, say experts
Alcohol should also be avoided in hot weather as it causes the body to lose water which often leads to dehydration

Excessive screen time linked to delayed learning in children, study

Excessive screen time linked to delayed learning in children, study
Experts warn too much screen time may hinder language development in young children

Chickpeas show surprising power to cut cholesterol levels in new study

Chickpeas show surprising power to cut cholesterol levels in new study
Those who ate chickpeas everyday showed a major improvement in their cholesterol levels

Air pollution fuels lung cancer in non-smokers, study

Air pollution fuels lung cancer in non-smokers, study
Air Pollution could drive lung cancer mutations in people with little to no history of smoking

15-minute workouts to rapidly lose weight

15-minute workouts to rapidly lose weight
Discover a few effective 15-minute workouts that are scientifically proven to rapidly help reduce fat

Measles outbreak spreads to Kentucky as US case tally reaches 1,267 this year

Measles outbreak spreads to Kentucky as US case tally reaches 1,267 this year
Health officials urge all parents to have their children vaccinated to ensure protection from measles

Hearing aids associated with improved mental well-being and social connection

Hearing aids associated with improved mental well-being and social connection
Improved engagement may support cognitive health, as social isolation has been associated with cognitive issues