Canadian Health Officials have become worried after they discovered the biggest outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, a report unveiled recently.

Legionnaires is a water-borne disease caused by the Legionella bacteria, the report finds. Growing in stagnant water in appliances like air conditioning systems, the virus can spread through the sprinkling water droplets during the machines’ operational process. People suffer dry cough, high fever or pneumonia as symptoms.

It is being said by health chiefs that while such outbreaks have been in recent past years too, the outburst this year none of the previous one can compete. There is evidence for the same as Thursday alone had seen some 16 people affected by the water-borne bug.

Though, the ailment initially discovered in the year 1976 during a meeting of veterans was being held in the United States is treatable with antibiotics. People with weak immune systems like children and elderly ones are highly prone to contract the same. Some six people have even faced death since the outbreak has occurred.

It has been told that this year even when 68 cooling towers of industrial ACs have been inspected as well as cleaned thoroughly, the disease is just failing all efforts. “We are very concerned by the current situation”, says Public Health Director Dr. François Desbiens.