Spring has sprung and WA Health is urging gardeners to take care to avoid a potentially deadly bacterial infection.
Cases of Legionnaires' disease – a severe form of pneumonia contracted by breathing in dust from soil products contaminated with legionella bacteria – often increase at this time of the year as people start their springtime planting.
Legionella longbeachae bacteria are commonly found in gardening products, including bagged potting mix, mulch and compost.
Another strain of the bacteria – Legionella pneumophila – contaminates water in air conditioning cooling towers, whirlpool spas, fountains, misting systems and shower heads.
WA Health's Acting Executive Director Environmental Health Peter Gray said there had been 187 notifications of Legionnaires' disease linked to garden soils and/or potting mix since the beginning of 2020.
"Of these, 112 cases required hospitalisation," he said.
The risk and severity of infection increases for older people, smokers, or those with weakened immune systems, and up to 10 per cent of cases can be fatal.
Mr Gray said gardeners could take simple precautions to reduce the risk when using bagged and bulk garden soils.
"This includes wearing gloves and a well-fitting disposable face mask, opening bagged potting mix carefully using scissors and keeping potting mix damp while in use," he said.
"People should also wash their hands after handling potting mix and before removing their mask.
"And always store your potting mix in a cool, dry place, out of the sun."
Sufferers of Legionnaires' disease experience an illness like a severe 'flu' infection that can develop up to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria.
Symptoms can include fever, chills, aching muscles and joints, a dry cough, headache (often severe), tiredness, loss of appetite and shortness of breath.
"If you experience symptoms, see your doctor or visit your local emergency department," said Mr Gray.
"Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics will greatly improve patient outcomes."
