Vic: Two more suspected legionnaires cases

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2000
Vic: Two more suspected legionnaires cases

Health officials have reported two more suspected cases of the potentially deadly legionnaires'
disease, believed to have been caught at Melbourne's new $33 million aquarium.

The Victorian Department of Human Services has confirmed four cases of the disease,
and say the results of tests for the latest two cases should be known later today.

A department spokesman says the two suspected cases are showing flu-like symptoms,
an early indicator of legionnaires' disease.

Both suspected cases are elderly people and both are being treated in hospital intensive
care units in Melbourne.

Meanwhile Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD, wife JANETTE and Victorian opposition leader
DENIS NAPTHINE have become caught up in the scare.

The three reportedly attended a Liberal party function two weeks ago at the aquarium,
where infected cooling tanks have been blamed for the outbreak.

Melbourne Aquarium says the tanks have been disinfected.

AAP RTV lmw/gf/jlw/smf

KEYWORD: LEGIONELLA (MELBOURNE)

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