Warning to gardeners over death

Gardeners are being warned to take care after one person has died of Legionnaires' Disease as a result of using potting mix.

The Canterbury District Health Board's Community and Public Health division says there have been four other cases of the disease since September.

The say gardeners should  take care when opening bags of potting mix or handling compost.

Legionnaires' Disease is a pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria that are commonly found in water and soils, including potting mix and compost. Potting mix was the likely source of the infection in four of the cases in Canterbury. The person who died contracted the infection while overseas recently.

Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury, said recommendations for handling and warnings were printed on most bags of potting mix.

''Recent cases are a reminder of the potential risk of getting Legionnaires Disease from potting mix. It is very important to take care to avoid inhaling the dust when opening and handling the potting mix.

''Bags should be carefully opened in a well ventilated area, preferably outdoors, and away from the face.

Dampening down the mix with gentle watering is advised. Also make sure that you always wash your hands after handling potting mix and doing any gardening,'' Dr Pink said.

Risk factors include being aged over 50, having a long term illness, particularly a lung disease, being a smoker or having low immunity.

Symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease may include dry coughing, high fever, chills, diarrhoea, shortness of breath, chest pains, headaches, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Anyone with these symptoms who has been handling potting mix or compost recently should seek advice from their GP.

In the past 12 months, 15 cases of Legionellosis have been notified in Canterbury.