❓ Question regarding a Legionnaire's disease case linked to a Fortescue Metals Group camp and the Department of Health's response, revealing Legionella presence but no exact source identified.
AnsweredQoN 510Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FORTESCUE METALS GROUP CAMP — LEGIONNAIRE'S
DISEASE
510. Hon KATE DOUST to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
recent case of a Jan De Nul Group worker who had travelled from Singapore on
the JDN vessel Fernao , had stayed at the Fortescue Metals
Group camp in South Hedland and had contracted legionnaire's disease.
(1) What measures did the Department of
Health take to ensure that residents of the FMG camp and all workers on the Fernao who were potentially at risk of
contracting the disease were informed of the situation?
(2) Was the exact source of the disease
determined?
(3) If yes to (2) —
� (a) what
was the source; and
� (b) what
measures did the Department of Health take to ensure that the Legionella
bacteria was eradicated?
(4) If no to (2) —
� (a) why
not; and
� (b) what
steps were taken by the Department of Health and the employer to determine the
source?
DISEASE
510. Hon KATE DOUST to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the
recent case of a Jan De Nul Group worker who had travelled from Singapore on
the JDN vessel Fernao , had stayed at the Fortescue Metals
Group camp in South Hedland and had contracted legionnaire's disease.
(1) What measures did the Department of
Health take to ensure that residents of the FMG camp and all workers on the Fernao who were potentially at risk of
contracting the disease were informed of the situation?
(2) Was the exact source of the disease
determined?
(3) If yes to (2) —
� (a) what
was the source; and
� (b) what
measures did the Department of Health take to ensure that the Legionella
bacteria was eradicated?
(4) If no to (2) —
� (a) why
not; and
� (b) what
steps were taken by the Department of Health and the employer to determine the
source?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) The
Department of Health has worked in close cooperation with WorkSafe. The
Department of Health provided advice on appropriate sampling regimes, contacts
at PathWest laboratories and the interpretation of likely health risks based on
sampling results. WorkSafe requested that environmental health officers from
the Town of Port Hedland sample workers' accommodation water outlets at
the accommodation. This was carried out on 10 March this year.
(2) An exact link
between the patient and workers' accommodation was not identified, but
the presence of Legionella pneumophila —the
causative organism of Legionnaire's disease—was detected in
multiple water outlets at the accommodation.
(3) (a) The worker's
shower and hand basin may have been possible sources based on the results of
sampling.
� (b) Department of Health staff liaised with
WorkSafe, the Town of Port Hedland and FMG water treatment consultants to
identify possible sources of Legionella bacteria and to ensure appropriate
treatment options were implemented by FMG. The Department of Health has
undertaken to review additional water sampling results once the treatment
options have been completed.
(4) (a)–(b)
Not applicable.
of the question.
(1) The
Department of Health has worked in close cooperation with WorkSafe. The
Department of Health provided advice on appropriate sampling regimes, contacts
at PathWest laboratories and the interpretation of likely health risks based on
sampling results. WorkSafe requested that environmental health officers from
the Town of Port Hedland sample workers' accommodation water outlets at
the accommodation. This was carried out on 10 March this year.
(2) An exact link
between the patient and workers' accommodation was not identified, but
the presence of Legionella pneumophila —the
causative organism of Legionnaire's disease—was detected in
multiple water outlets at the accommodation.
(3) (a) The worker's
shower and hand basin may have been possible sources based on the results of
sampling.
� (b) Department of Health staff liaised with
WorkSafe, the Town of Port Hedland and FMG water treatment consultants to
identify possible sources of Legionella bacteria and to ensure appropriate
treatment options were implemented by FMG. The Department of Health has
undertaken to review additional water sampling results once the treatment
options have been completed.
(4) (a)–(b)
Not applicable.
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