One More Death in Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak, but No New Cases

TORONTO (CP) – Ontario health officials say another person has died in the outbreak of legionnaires’ disease at a Toronto nursing home, bringing the death toll to 17.

No new cases have been reported, officials say. The investigation into the source of the outbreak is continuing, and health officials are examining water samples at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged.

The results aren’t expected for another week.

All the deaths and illnesses have been contained to residents and staff at the nursing home.

Dozens of people remain in hospital with the disease, but some have recovered and been discharged.

Officials were relieved Thursday to finally identify the mysterious illness and say is almost certainly legionnaires’ disease, a form of pneumonia.

Legionnaires’ is transmitted by inhaling infected water particles in the air from cooking, ventilation or hot-water systems.