Surrey Walmart closed because of Legionnaires’ disease outbreak

Fraser Health has confirmed the Walmart at the Guildford Town Centre mall in Surrey is closed today related to a recent outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, which is similar to pneumonia.

The health authority is still in the early stages of an investigation into what caused the outbreak. Seven people have been sent to hospital over the last two weeks with the disease, and all of them had underlying risk factors. Seniors, smokers, people who have lung diseases like emphysema, and those whose immune systems are compromised are at higher risk for contracting Legionnaires.

The Guildford Town Centre mall said in a statement that they are working with Fraser Health and complying with their requests.

Amir Bharmal with Fraser Health says that health authority detected the legionella bacterium after doing environmental inspection and testing at the Walmart and Guildford mall area. Water samples were taken from cooling towers, water fountains and other water features in the area.

When inspecting the outbreak over the last week, they found some who contracted the disease had visited the shopping centre.

“We went ahead and did an environmental assessment, and we did inspection, as well as testing and sampling of the water,” he says. “From this, we have identified that some of the cooling towers did grow legionella.

“If water is stagnant, or it’s kept warm for long periods of time, that provides an environment for this legionella bacteria to grow and potentially spread from.”

Now the health authority is recommending those towers get some deep cleaning. Fraser Health will be following up the situation with new water samples to ensure the water tests negative for legionella.

This bacteria occurs naturally, he adds, so its not surprising to find some of the bacterium in the towers. Structures holding water, like water towers, fountains and hot tubs that are not drained can all be places where legionella grows. But if it becomes airborne, people at risk for pneumonia can contract Legionnaires disease.

“We do want to minimize any risk to the public and in those situations. We want facilities to be able to start taking measures right away to clean up any of these contaminated areas so that there isn’t any further spread and further risk to the public,” Bharmal says.

Symptoms of legionella include cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue and muscle aches.

But, for the general public, the risk of contracting the disease is lower.

“For the general public, people who don’t have these risk factors, we don’t typically see them getting sick and developing this pneumonia,” he said.

Fraser Health only recommends that people with who have symptoms of pneumonia, and who were in the Guildford area, see a doctor.

Guildford Town Centre statement

The health and safety of our guests and the employees at Guildford Town Centre is our top priority.

We have fully collaborated and complied with all requests from Fraser Health Authority in light of recent health concerns in the Guildford community.

Throughout the process, we have been advised there was no public health concern within the shopping centre.

The shopping centre remains open for business.

– With files from Lasia Kretzel and Marcella Bernardo