Alderney Manor gets permanent system installed to fight legionnaires'
Five residents of Alderney Manor contracted disease
A treatment system will be permanently installed at Alderney Manor in Dartmouth in an effort to kill bacteria that caused an outbreak of legionnaires' disease at the building two weeks ago, the province said Friday.
A copper-silver ionization system, used to treat both hot and cold water running through the building, has been purchased by the government and will soon be installed, according to a news release.
Five people who live in the building were confirmed to have contracted the disease — a severe form of pneumonia — by the Nova Scotia Health Authority. The first case was confirmed Sept. 2.
The bacteria is spread by water mist, often through showers and air conditioners. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches and diarrhea. It's more common among older people and is fatal in 15 per cent of cases.
On Friday, pipes running through all units in the building were flushed with hot water and treated with a leased copper-silver ionization system for a second time. The first flushing was done Sept. 11.
Residents have been told not to use showers for the next two weeks until the building's cold water is treated. In the meantime, residents have been told they can use reserved showers at the Dartmouth Sportsplex.
The government says no one has come forward with symptoms of legionnaires' disease in over a week.