Public health officials in London have redeclared an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease after confirming 25 new cases and linking them to the Sofina Foods plant in the city’s east end.
Testing revealed a match between the bacteria subtype found in the plant’s cooling tower and samples taken from patients who fell ill.
The Middlesex-London Health Unit said food products from Sofina Foods remain safe to eat, stressing that Legionnaires’ disease spreads through airborne water droplets, not food or drink.
To date, the outbreak has been tied to at least 94 cases of serious pneumonia, resulting in four deaths and 86 hospitalizations.
Officials initially declared the outbreak over on August 6, but the resurgence highlights how trace amounts of bacteria can survive and regrow in warm, humid conditions.
Sofina Foods has pledged full cooperation, undertaking deep cleaning and keeping its cooling tower offline until health inspectors approve it for use again.
Health officials remind the public that legionella bacteria are naturally found in soil and water, but can become dangerous when they multiply in cooling towers, air-conditioning systems, and hot water tanks. Anyone experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms—such as cough, fever, or difficulty breathing—is urged to seek medical attention promptly.
