With the arrival of spring and better weather for gardening, public health officials are reminding people about the importance of safe handling of potting mix, compost and soil to protect themselves against a potentially fatal illness, Legionnaires’ disease.

Southern District Health Board (SDHB) medical officer of health Dr Susan Jack said Legionnaires’ disease, also known as legionellosis, is a type of pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria. 

Legionella bacteria commonly live in potting mix, compost and soil.

“Legionellosis is preventable and Southern DHB’s public health unit is working proactively to make more people aware of the risks associated with handling potting mix, compost and soil, so fewer people will develop Legionnaires’ disease, be admitted to hospital or die,” she said.

Before handling potting mix, compost or soil the SDHB recommends:

• Wearing a face mask (N95 or P2 - masks with a dust filter/respirator) and gloves. A mask will prevent you inhalation of the harmful legionella bacteria and gloves will prevent hand-to-mouth contact
• Cutting bags away from the face with scissors. This controls the dust particles that may contain legionella bacteria
• Opening bags in a well-ventilated/open area
• Dampening down the potting mix/compost/soil. This controls the dust particles
• Washing hands thoroughly after taking off gloves and before taking off a mask.

“In 2020 there have been six cases of legionellosis including one fatality in the Southern District, which followed 20 cases of legionellosis notified in Southern and, sadly, two fatalities in 2019,” Susan said.

Flu-like symptoms can appear two to ten days after exposure to legionella bacteria. Symptoms present may be a cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle pains/aches and headaches. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur.

“If you experience any of these symptoms after gardening, we recommend that you talk to your doctor and inform them of your gardening activity. This will help them determine whether to test you for legionellosis. Early treatment is usually effective, however if you become very sick hospitalisation may be required,” Susan said.

Risk factors for developing Legionnaires’ disease are: being over 60 years old; being a current or former-smoker; or having pre-existing conditions and/or compromised immune systems.

Members of the public and retailers with questions about legionellosis can contact Queenstown Public Health South office on 03 450 9156. 

PHOTO: SDHB