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Low levels of Legionella bacteria detected in Cooling Tower Building 3A Clayton Campus

Low levels of Legionella bacteria have been detected during routine testing of the cooling tower for building 3A on the Clayton campus of Monash University.

The contractor responsible for cleaning and monitoring cooling towers was informed of the positive result yesterday, and immediately applied additional cleaning and treatment to the affected cooling tower to kill any bacteria present. Under the University’s rigorous cooling tower cleaning and treatment program, all cooling towers are cleaned and tested on a monthly basis.

The University has also informed the Department of Human Services, as part of our OHS compliance obligations. Staff located in building 3A will be invited to a briefing session later today to enable a better understanding of the detection and to allow them to be briefed by health professionals, including the university’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Craig Blandy. Staff in the building can be re-assured though that the recorded result was just above the detectable level for Legionella.

Although the low level reading poses minimal risk to staff, students and visitors, anyone with concerns about their health or exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below in the next 1-2 weeks, see your doctor or the University Health Service.

What are the symptoms of Legionnaires Disease?

Symptoms are usually similar to a severe 'flu' infection and include: fever, headache (often severe); shortness of breath; muscle aches and pains and sometimes a dry cough.

From the time of infection with Legionella. bacteria, it takes between two and 10 days for symptoms to appear. In most cases, symptoms begin after five or six days.

Further Information

Further information can be obtained by contacting the following:

Occupational Health and Safety 9905 1014
Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Human Services 1800 248 898

Further information can also be viewed at the Human Services website.