A second person has died after being diagnosed with legionnaires’ disease during an outbreak in Melbourne’s west and north-west.
The man in his 60s became unwell over a week ago and was admitted to hospital, before dying on Thursday.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said the man in his 60s became unwell on July 21 and was admitted to hospital on July 27, before he died on August 1.
“Our deepest condolences are with that man’s family,” Dr Looker said.
Legionnaires’ disease is a rare but severe form of bacterial pneumonia.
It can cause a chest infection with symptoms of fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches and pains and atypical symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and confusion.
The outbreak began on 26 July and marks the state’s worst in more than two decades.
About 75 of the 77 confirmed cases and seven suspected cases have been hospitalised.
