Woman in her 90s dies from Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Melbourne

A woman aged in her 90s has died from the growing Legionnaires' disease outbreak in metropolitan Melbourne, as authorities narrow their investigations to two suburbs.

She became sick on Tuesday evening, presented at a hospital and died shortly after, Victoria's Chief Health Officer Dr Clare Looker said at a press conference today.

There are currently more than 60 confirmed cases and a further 10 suspected cases, most of which are aged over 40 and have been hospitalised.

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"This is a concerning situation for our community," Looker said.

Looker said the focus of their investigation is the city's north-west suburbs of North Laverton and Derrimut, where most cases reside.

"The information we have to date suggests the source of the outbreak is most likely linked to one cooling tower in this area," she said.

"Our priority at the moment has been inspecting and disinfecting all cooling towers in these suburbs, of which there are more than 100.

"Already our teams have visited inspected and tested 41 cooling towers and that work is continuing over the coming days."

It will take a number of days for those test samples to return results.

Looker said most cases linked to the outbreak are believed to have been exposed between July 5 and July 20 with symptoms starting on or after July 15.

"Recent weather patterns could explain the wider-than-usual spread of Legionnaires' bacteria in this outbreak and that's why we're urging people with symptoms to seek medical advice immediately especially if you have been in metropolitan Melbourne prior to feeling unwell," she said.

Authorities are working with meteorologists to understand whether windy and rainy weather has spread the disease and expect cases to rise.

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Legionnaires' disease is a rare but severe form of bacterial pneumonia.

It can cause a chest infection with symptoms of fever, chills, cough, headache and muscle aches and pains and atypical symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and confusion.

It is not commonly contracted or spread and is mostly found in people at a greater risk of infection.

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"Those most at risk are adults aged over 40 years, especially people with other medical conditions or immune compromise, or who smoke," Victoria Health said.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by its name-sake bacteria, which can be found in natural bodies of water like rivers and lakes.

It can also be found in artificial systems that use water for cooling, heating or industrial processes such as cooling towers.

Legionnaires' disease is an urgent notifiable condition that requires notification to the Department of Health upon initial diagnosis or clinical suspicion as soon as practicable by calling 1300 651 160 (24/7).