Authorities have issued a warning to gardeners after a lady in her 60s died from Legionnaires' illness in Sydney.
NSW Well being mentioned the lady died this week from the illness, which will be present in potting combine and soils.
It warned gardeners to put on face masks and gloves when dealing with soil, and to scrub their palms afterwards.
There have been 96 circumstances of Legionnaires' illness to date this 12 months from micro organism present in potting combine, NSW Well being mentioned.
Legionella longbeachae micro organism is commonly discovered within the soil and may trigger the lung an infection.
NSW Well being Govt Director, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, mentioned it is primarily a hazard for older individuals
''Most individuals who breathe within the micro organism do not turn out to be sick, however the threat of an infection will increase should you're older, a smoker, or have a weakened immune system," Dr McAnulty mentioned.
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"Wetting the potting combine first additionally helps forestall any contaminated potting combine mud blowing up into the air and being inhaled.
"Even should you've been carrying gloves, be sure to scrub your palms totally with cleaning soap earlier than consuming or consuming because the micro organism might nonetheless be there."
Signs of Legionnaires' illness can develop as much as 10 days after publicity.
Signs embody fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath, aching muscle mass, headache, tiredness, lack of urge for food and diarrhoea.