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Compost and potting mixes are great for stimulating plant growth, but they can also be fertile ground for one of the insects that cause Legionnaires’ disease.
Wearing a mask outdoors has become common business for all of us in 2020, but a recent spate of Legionnaires’ disease cases in the Upper South means there’s another reason to take precautions when gardening.
Nelson Marlborough Health has reminded gardeners to protect themselves after five people were hospitalized with the disease in November.
Four cases occurred in the Tasman district and one in Marlborough. One patient was in his fifties, three in his seventy, and one in his eighties.
Four patients were men, with a mean length of hospital stay of 11 days.
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In four cases, the species of bacteria was Legionella longbeachae and there was a case of Legionella pneumophila.
According to the website of the Ministry of Health, all ages can be affected, but the disease mainly affects people over 50 years of age and generally men more than women.
Smokers or ex-smokers and people with compromised immune systems are at higher risk.
Susceptible people get legionellosis by breathing airborne particles from a water source that contains Legionella bacteria or after inhaling dust from the ground.
All patients had recently purchased and used potting mix, compost, or both.
Ten cases have been confirmed so far in 2020, compared to eight in 2019. Since 2010, 71 cases have been reported in the region.
Nelson Marlborough Health Clinical Director of Public Health and Medical Health Officer Dr. Stephen Bridgman said the length of hospital stay among this year’s cases underscored the severity of the disease.
It can lead to pneumonia and, in some cases, death. However, it was a preventable disease, he said.
There have been no deaths locally in the past three years, but one person died from the disease in Dunedin last year.
Potting mix is the most common source of Legionella bacteria.
MARTIN DE RUYTER
Five patients from the Tasman and Marlborough districts have been admitted to the hospital with Legionnaires’ disease this month.
It is also present in compost, poorly treated spa pools, and hot water cylinders that are not set to a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius.
Bridgman said that recent cases in the Nelson Marlborough region had been linked to soil, compost or potting mix during gardening without using proper protection.
The actual number of Legionella infections is likely underestimated, as tests are typically done only if someone was sick enough to be admitted to the hospital.
“At this time of year, when people are entering their gardens more, we urge people to be careful when handling these products and to follow the advice to reduce their risk, in particular the use of masks to avoid inhalation of bacteria when handle potting mix or compost.
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The first symptoms can appear between two and 14 days after exposure and include fever, chills, flu-like symptoms and cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches and stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhea.
Less severe cases may have a flu-like or Covid-19 illness called Pontiac Fever.
Unlike the flu or Covid-19, the disease cannot be transmitted from person to person.
Early treatment is effective. Anyone with symptoms should seek health advice immediately by contacting their GP or Healthline, and letting them know that they have recently been handling potting soil, soil, or compost.
Simple steps to avoid Legionnaires’ disease in gardening:
– Open the bags of potting mix carefully with scissors, rather than ripping them.
– Wear a mask and gloves, and open the bag away from your face.
– Make your pot in a well ventilated area outdoors.
– Moisten potting mix or compost with a pinch of water to reduce airborne dust.
– Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the potting mix or after gardening.
