Legionnaires’ disease alert issued for Sydney as people urged to monitor for symptoms

NSW Health issues warning after multiple people who visited CBD were hospitalised for pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria

Sydneysiders have been urged to stay alert for symptoms of legionnaires' disease after seven people were hospitalised after contracting the respiratory illness over Christmas and the new year.

New South Wales Health issued an alert on Wednesday afternoon, warning those who had been in the Sydney CBD area in the past 10 days to monitor for symptoms, which can include fever, chills, cough and shortness of breath. The disease can lead to severe chest infections.