Legionnaires' disease bacteria found at Place du Portage III in Gatineau
Tests showed high levels of bacteria on May 11, but threat has been addressed
The department of Public Works confirmed Thursday it has found the bacteria that causes legionnaires' disease in the cooling system of phase three building of the Place du Portage federal government office complex in Gatineau, Quebec.
The government building is primarily occupied by Public Works and Government Services Canada.
Public Works said Thursday at a news briefing that it had shut down and cleaned the cooling tower where the bacteria was discovered earlier this week.
No person has been found to have contracted legionnaires' disease from Place du Portage water cooling system, Public Works says.
'Low risk' to workers, health officer says
The levels discovered in the building were "low risk" to workers at the building, said chief public health officer Dr. Gregory Taylor.
"Most people exposed to this level of bacteria do not contract legionnaires' disease," said Taylor.
The elderly and those with compromised immune systems could still be at risk of legionnaire's disease, however, says Dr. Gregory Taylor.
First legionella found in April
Andy Smith, the associate assistant deputy minister of Public Works, said the first hint of legionella was detected in April and cleaned out by April 27.
In early May, the summer cooling began with "fresh water," but tests came back on May 11 showing bacteria levels at 2,000 CFUs per millilitre, Smith added. That is twice the level that prompts the Quebec government to report and 20 times the federal government's standard of reporting.
Smith said the system was shut down within 15 minutes and "super chlorination" soon eliminated the legionella.
The building's cooling fans remain shut down and more culture tests are expected back on May 25, he added.
Bacteria thrive in wet environments
Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, got its name from the unfortunate delegates who became infected during an outbreak at an American Legion of Pennsylvania convention.
The bacteria responsible for the disease was isolated and named Legionella pneumophila in 1976.
The Public Health Agency of Canada says about only 1 in 20 people exposed to legionella contracts legionnaires' disease.
Outbreaks have been traced back to water distribution systems, humidifiers and respiratory therapy devices, as the bacteria thrive in wet environments. But people who become ill cannot pass the infection onto others.
The majority of those infected survive, although their recovery can take several weeks.