Warning over favourite Aussie pastime

As the climate will get hotter and Australians wish to spruce up their gardens, NSW Health is encouraging residents to take care when dealing with potting combine, mulch and compost.

Legionella longbeachae micro organism is commonly present in soil merchandise and if inhaled may cause severe lung an infection.

Gardeners ought to learn and comply with the warnings on the surface of bagged potting combine to keep away from contracting the illness, in accordance with NSW Health govt director Jeremy McAnulty.

“Before opening the bag, put on a mask and gloves so you don’t breathe in the dust or get it on your hands. Wetting the potting mix, mulch or compost can reduce the dust blowing up into the air,” Dr McAnulty stated.

“Even if you’ve been wearing gloves, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating or drinking, as the bacteria could still be there.”

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ illness embody fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath, aching muscle mass, headache, tiredness, lack of urge for food and diarrhoea.

It can develop as much as 10 days after publicity to the micro organism and will be deadly.

‘‘Most people who breathe in the bacteria don’t turn out to be sick, however the danger of an infection will increase if you happen to’re older, a smoker, or have a weakened immune system,” Dr McAnulty stated.

There have been 54 instances of the illness attributable to inhaling micro organism from potting combine and soil in NSW this yr.

There had been 132 instances reported in 2022.

For those that do turn out to be contaminated, Legionnaires’ illness can often be cured with antibiotics; nevertheless, some situations require hospitalisation.

It is just not unfold from individual to individual, however one other pressure of the micro organism will be present in contaminated airconditioning programs in massive buildings.

Originally printed as Spring Legionnaires’ illness warning for NSW residents