The Dodentol rises as infectious medical expenses and claims the second victim after a large outbreak in the CBD of Sydney – since three others have been admitted to the hospital

A second person died of an outbreak of legionaries in the CBD of Sydney – with three other victims admitted to the hospital.

NSW Health said that a dozen people who had been in and around the CBD in March and April had contracted the disease.

Legionaires disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by legionella bacteria and widespread outbreaks have often been reduced to the presence of those bacteria in cooling towers for air conditioning.

“Unfortunately, one of the people who contracted the disease died in the hospital last week,” said a spokesperson.

Three residents of Potts Point, between their 40s and 70s, were not admitted to the hospital after they had become unwell.

More than 165 cooling towers left over Sydney have been inspected as part of the investigation into the source of the outbreak.

NSW Health found Legionella bacteria in one of the towers that is cleaned, with more tests required to determine if this was the source of the spread.

Local companies have been asked to disinfect their water cooling systems to kill bacteria in cooling towers, spas, hot water tanks and air conditioning units.

The Sydney CBD, including Pitt Street Mall, is where about a dozen people have sustained the disease earlier this year (photo)

Director of the Public Health Unit in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District DR Vicky Sheppeard said that the virus could not be spread between people.

“Outbreaks sometimes occur when bacteria from environmental sources such as cooling towers are infected on top of large buildings,” she said.

Symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain, which often appear two to 10 days after exposure.

Although serious, the disease can be treated with antibiotics, but can be fatal if people do not seek medical help.

Legionnires’ disease is more dangerous for people with a compromised immune system or underlying health problems.

Those who run most of them are people over 50 years old, people with chronic lung disease, smokers, people in the field of immunosuppressive medicines and cancer and diabetic patients.

NSW Health said that everyone who was in Sydney’s CBD in March and April and experiences symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

One patient just drove through circular quay when they were infected.

LegionNeires’ disease can be fatal, remains untreated and the health of NSW urges everyone with symptoms to immediately see a doctor (depicted)

The disease is normally sustained by breathing in infected water droplets or aerosolized water.

In August, an outbreak in Melbourne, traced to a cooling tower, led to more than 100 cases and the death of two people.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Health for Comment.