Que gov’t promises to act on legionnaires’ advice

QUEBEC – The Quebec government promised to take action to curb legionnaires’ disease after a public scolding Friday from the mayor of Quebec City.

Two hours after the mayor slammed the provincial government for ignoring a 15-year-old local report, two provincial ministers promised to hold building owners legally responsible for maintaining their cooling systems.

Health Minister Yves Bolduc and Labour Minister Lise Theriault said such a bill would be introduced this fall, more than a decade after the measure was suggested in a municipal report following the last such outbreak in Quebec City.

Since the middle of July, authorities in Quebec City have reported 65 cases of legionnaires’ disease, including six deaths. While more cases are expected to surface in the coming days, authorities believe the outbreak has now been contained.

The deadly bacteria grow in the dirty cooling systems of building towers, spreading in little droplets through the air conditioning.

Mayor Regis Labeaume expressed his frustration at the province for ignoring his municipal health authority’s 1997 recommendation.

“I’m indignant over this indifference,” said Labeaume. “But I don’t want a witch-hunt to find those responsible…Perhaps at the time there were less building towers with cooling towers but that’s not an excuse. Not an excuse. For matters of public health, we have to be vigilant.”

The source of the bacteria in Quebec City is believed to stem from two building towers. Tests are still being conducted.

People with weak immune systems and heavy smokers are most at risk of catching the disease. Symptoms include persistent fever, coughing and difficulty breathing.