Legionnaires' alert for the Potts Point area

NSW Health is advising people who have been in the Potts Point area in the past 10 days (from 8 June to 18 June) to be vigilant for symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease, which include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath.

Three people living in Potts Point, ranging in age from their 40s to 70s, have recently developed Legionnaires’ disease. They are not known to each other.  

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by infection with Legionella bacteria. Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers atop large buildings become contaminated. Legionnaires’ disease is not spread from person to person.            

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said all three people have been admitted to hospital. 

“People can be exposed to the bacteria if contaminated water particles from a cooling system are emitted into the air and breathed in,” Dr Sheppeard said.

“Legionnaires’ disease can develop up to 10 days after exposure. Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath and may lead to severe chest infections such as pneumonia.   

“People who develop this disease are diagnosed by a urine or sputum test and chest X-ray and usually require antibiotic treatment in hospital. Those most at risk are elderly people, people with underlying lung or other serious health conditions, and people who smoke.”

NSW Health environmental health officers are working closely with the City of Sydney and have inspected and sampled all cooling towers within 500 metres of the residents’ homes. All managers of cooling water systems in the broad investigation area have been asked to disinfect their systems.

Building owners should ensure that their cooling towers are operated and maintained in compliance with the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022. 

If unwell, please seek medical advice. For non-life-threatening health concerns call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (this service is free and available 24 hours a day).  

For information on management of water-cooling systems contact your local public health unit on 1300 066 055 or https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/legionellacontrol/Pages/default.aspx.   

For more information on Legionnaires’ disease visit: Legionnaires’ disease - frequently asked questions 

Published 19 June 2025