Polluted Wgtn stream 'source of suspected Legionnaires'

A Wellington man is suspected of catching Legionnaires disease after he fell into a heavily polluted stream.

The 87-year-old Lower Hutt man fell into a tributary of Waiwhetu Stream last month, Radio New Zealand reported.

He was initially treated in hospital for pneumonia, but doctors said the pneumonia was a result of contracting Legionnaires disease.

Wellington medical officer of health Annette Nesdale told NZPA that the man may have contracted the disease when he fell into the stream while clearing weeds at the back of his section.

He swallowed some water from the stream, considered to be one of the most polluted waterways in the country.

Water samples from the stream have been sent to ESR for analysis. Results are not expected for at least another week.

Tests are also planned on parts of the man's house in a bid to determine the source of the disease.

"The legionella bacteria is known to live in water and soil so we wouldn't be at all surprised if we do isolate it from the stream," Dr Nesdale said.

In 2006, there were 52 cases of Legionnaires disease nationwide, the lowest annual rate since 2002.

NZPA