The death of Legionnires in London, Ont., quickly asked stricter regulations to prevent outbreaks

The recent outbreak of Legionnaires disease in London, Ontario has prompted calls for stricter regulations to prevent the spread of the bacteria responsible for this airway infection. The Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU) identified the cooling tower at Sofina Foods Inc. as the likely source of the outbreak, which resulted in six deaths and over 120 infections.

Vincent Brown, a senior technical adviser at Magnus, emphasized the need for improved protocols and legislation to reduce the risk of such outbreaks in the future. He pointed out that Ontario lags behind other provinces like Quebec and New Brunswick, which have implemented regulations for the operation and maintenance of cooling towers to prevent similar incidents.

Legionella bacteria are not transmitted from person to person, but can be inhaled when aerosolized in the air. They thrive in environments like hot water tanks and commercial air conditioning systems. Brown stressed the importance of mandatory registration and stringent maintenance requirements for cooling towers to mitigate the risk to the population.

In response to the outbreak, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (Alpha) in Orillia urged the Ontario government to introduce a mandatory registry and risk management plans for cooling tower operators. However, the government did not commit to adopting these measures.

Dr. Joanne Kearon, from the MLHU, highlighted the need for policy changes at the municipal and provincial levels to enforce regulations for cooling tower operators. She emphasized the importance of collaboration between health units and municipalities to address this issue effectively.

In conclusion, stricter regulations for cooling towers can play a crucial role in preventing outbreaks of Legionnaires disease. By implementing mandatory registration and maintenance requirements, authorities can better monitor and manage the risk of Legionella contamination, ultimately safeguarding public health. Title: The Rise of Remote Work: How the Pandemic has Transformed the Way We Work

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