doughsgurl
10-17-2004, 08:35 PM
Friday October 15, 03:32 PM
Jail staff, inmates exposed to Legionnaire's disease
The Department of Corrective Services says up to 26 staff and inmates at the Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre may have been infected with Legionnaire's disease.
The bacteria was discovered on Wednesday in a unit attached to a kitchen area and has since been eradicated.
The prison was locked down this morning to allow staff to attend a meeting with the Department of Workplace Health and Safety.
Corrective Services spokesman Ron Watson says there is a small risk those exposed to the bacteria will develop the disease.
"The time frame would've been maybe three or four days of exposure," he said.
"Medical experts tell me that not only do you have to be in the air conditioned area, you actually have to breath almost the steam or the spray."
Corrective Services has also discovered Legionnaire's disease in an evaporative unit that has not been used in some time at the Wolston Correctional Centre.
The department has now launched a state-wide program to eradicate the disease from Queensland correctional centres.
Article found here: http://au.news.yahoo.com/041015/21/r8c4.html (http://au.news.yahoo.com/041015/21/r8c4.html)
Jail staff, inmates exposed to Legionnaire's disease
The Department of Corrective Services says up to 26 staff and inmates at the Brisbane Women's Correctional Centre may have been infected with Legionnaire's disease.
The bacteria was discovered on Wednesday in a unit attached to a kitchen area and has since been eradicated.
The prison was locked down this morning to allow staff to attend a meeting with the Department of Workplace Health and Safety.
Corrective Services spokesman Ron Watson says there is a small risk those exposed to the bacteria will develop the disease.
"The time frame would've been maybe three or four days of exposure," he said.
"Medical experts tell me that not only do you have to be in the air conditioned area, you actually have to breath almost the steam or the spray."
Corrective Services has also discovered Legionnaire's disease in an evaporative unit that has not been used in some time at the Wolston Correctional Centre.
The department has now launched a state-wide program to eradicate the disease from Queensland correctional centres.
Article found here: http://au.news.yahoo.com/041015/21/r8c4.html (http://au.news.yahoo.com/041015/21/r8c4.html)