Ottawa office worker contracts Legionnaires’ disease, bacteria found in Gatineau office complex
Posted Jun 16, 2015 04:54:26 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A person working at Jean Edmonds Tower North on Slater Street was diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease.
In a statement, Rémi Larivière with Citizenship and Immigration Canada told 1310News the person has fully recovered from the illness.
“While nothing indicates that the source is Jean Edmonds Tower North, the Department is proactively working with Public Works and Government Services Canada to test the ventilation system,” said Larivière.
“A message was sent to all employees of the Department to inform them of the situation.”
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia.
Ottawa Public Health said it is not spread from one person to another, and is contracted by breating in mist or steam containing Legionella bacteria.
The Ottawa situation comes after the bacteria was found inside a building at the Place du Portage complex in Gatineau.
It was found in the hot water suppy at Place du Centre, with the water being turned off until more tests could be done.
Last month the bacteria was found inside a cooling system at Place du Portage Phase III.
