Renewed Legionnaires’ disease warning for Bali travellers

The Department of Health has reissued a warning to travellers who have recently returned from Bali to be alert for symptoms consistent with Legionnaires’ disease.

WA Health has been notified of a new case of Legionnaires’ in a Western Australian woman who has recently returned from Bali, the second case identified in Australia in the past week.

There have now been 15 confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease in Australians returning from Bali since August 2010; 10 from Western Australia.

Communicable Disease Control Director, Dr Paul Armstrong said while the exact source of the disease remained unknown all infected Western Australians had stayed in the central Kuta area of Bali.

“Legionnaires’ disease most often affects middle-aged and elderly people, particularly those who smoke or who have lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease or a weakened immune system,” Dr Armstrong said.

“People with these risk factors who visit Bali should avoid the central area of Kuta in the vicinity of the intersection of Jalan Singosari and Jalan Kartika Plasa.

“The early symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are typically similar to severe ‘flu-like’ illness,” he said.

“Early symptoms may include fever, chills, muscle soreness, headaches, tiredness, reduced appetite and diarrhoea, along with dry cough and breathlessness.”

The Department of Health is advising Western Australians who have recently returned from Bali, and have developed severe flu-like symptoms within 10 days of their return, to contact their GP.

“Legionnaires’ disease is treated with specific antibiotics, and while most people recover, some people may develop severe pneumonia requiring hospitalisation.”

Legionella pneumophilia is a type of bacteria commonly transmitted by the inhalation of water droplets from contaminated warm water environments such as:

• air conditioning cooling towers in large buildings and evaporative air conditioners
• showers and warm water systems
• spa pools
• misting or droplet sprays
• fountains

Legionnaires’ disease cannot be caught from other people or from animal contact.

(Source: Government of Western Australia Department of Health)