AMY MAAS

An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Auckland has claimed a second life and infected 16 people.

Legionnaires' is a form of pneumonia that can be life threatening for people with weakened immune systems.

In February the Auckland Regional Public Health Service warned of an outbreak and began working with Auckland Council to encourage shock-dosing of all cooling towers and industrial water cooling systems, in a region-wide effort to stop the disease spreading.

To April 1, 12 people had been infected and in March it claimed its first victim, an elderly woman who was already ill.

Figures released under the Official Information Act yesterday show a further four people have been infected and another person has died. That person was also believed to be suffering from underlying health issues.

The health service couldn't say where the deaths occurred because they don't record that information.

A further two people contracted Legionnaires between January and February this year but their cases occurred before the outbreak. Typically one or two cases are identified in a six week period.

Those infected contracted the disease from a water source, which may include air conditioning systems in buildings, the health service said.

It was believed more than 600 buildings shock-dosed their water cooling systems following the health scare. However, the health service has been unable to establish a definite link between the cooling systems and the outbreak.

The health service believes the "warm, damp summer" period may have provided a breeding ground for the bacteria.

"We thought of any situation where there would be old water droplets in the air and had to think outside the square," said spokeswoman Cathy McIntosh.

In the past 27 days only one person had contracted the disease so if there are no further cases in the next fortnight health authorities will rule the outbreak is over.

The health service is trying to safeguard against future outbreaks, including working alongside the Department of Labour to test workplaces as potential sources of infection.

"[The outbreak] has put a reminder in places to help people understand that they have a responsibility," McIntosh said.

Symptoms of Legionnaires' can include headache, diarrhoea, dry cough, drowsiness and delirium. It is treated with antibiotics, however, most people who contract the disease are hospitalised with pneumonia.

- © Fairfax NZ News