Virus Shutdown Leads to Legionnaires’ Risk

A doctor uses a microscope to look at bacteria containing coronavirus DNA fragments in a research lab at Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) in London, England, on Feb. 10, 2020. Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images

Australians heading back to work have been warned against another potentially fatal illness, legionnaires’ disease, due to a heightened risk of Legionella bacteria growing in the office air-conditioning.

With COVID-19 restrictions set to ease around the country in coming months, thousands of people will resume working in buildings that have lain empty for weeks.