COMMUNICATIONS

Media Release - 26/10/2005

Warning to Gardeners re use of Potting Mix following cases of Legionnella in Canterbury

Gardeners are being warned to take care when opening bags of potting mix or handling compost following four cases of legionnaires disease in Canterbury this month attributed to potting mix or compost.

Medical officer of health Dr Alistair Humphrey is urging all gardeners, amateur or professional to heed the warnings on sacks of potting mix in order to minimise the risk of contracting this serious disease. The same care should be taken when handling “home made” compost, because legionella thrives in compost bins, he said.

Three cases were of legionella longbeachae, the type most commonly associated with potting mix or compost. The fourth was legionella pneumophila. Dr Humphrey stressed that none of the cases was associated with the outbreak in Christchurch earlier this year. All four cases had been handling potting mix or compost in the incubation period.

‘Tragically, one person has died from contracting legionella associated with the use of potting mix. It is very sad that this has happened and we are making a plea for people getting out into the garden at this time of the year, to be extremely careful.’

‘Safety instructions are printed on all bags of potting mix and compost,’ he said. ‘They include telling the user to open bags of soil products slowly and keep them away from the face. They also recommend that people should dampen potting mix before they use it to prevent dust. Additionally gardeners can minimise the amount of dust on their properties by regularly watering their gardens,’ he said.

‘We have been working closely with garden supplies companies to ensure that warning labels are on all bags of potting mix or compost,’ Dr Humphrey said. ‘I am pleased that these companies have been complying with this agreement which staff from Community and Public Health regularly check in garden supply outlets.’

Samples of the potting mix and compost associated with the people who had contracted legionella have been sent for testing by the Canterbury District Health Board’s Community & Public Health team. Free leaflets outlining health and safety while gardening are available from the Community Health Information Centre at Community and Public Health, 76 Chester St East.

Ends.

Vivienne Allan
Communications Manager
0275-314-796