Toronto Public Health is investigating a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak near the downtown core after six confirmed cases were identified among people who live, work or recently visited the area.The cases are clustered within roughly a one-kilometre radius of Bathurst Street and Dupont Street, with patients developing symptoms between July 2 and July 26, according to Toronto Public Health. Officials are now carrying out environmental inspections and collecting samples to determine where the Legionella bacteria may have come from.The source has not been identified yet, and Toronto Public Health said the overall risk to the public remains low because Legionnaires’ disease generally does not spread from person to person.Did A Cooling Tower Cause Toronto's Legionnaires' Outbreak?Also read: Legionnaire’s Disease NYC Outbreak: 3 Dead, 67 Sick; Health Authorities Have Identified ZIP Codes Linked With ClusterInvestigators believe this could be one of the possibilities but no source has been confirmed yet. Toronto Public Health is conducting on-site inspections to identify potential sources. Precautionary control measures have already been implemented.Officials are also investigating whether the current cluster could be connected to an earlier outbreak at Castleview Wychwood Towers, a nearby long-term care facility where five cases were confirmed in July.The possibility of a building water system is particularly relevant because Legionella grows more easily in warm, stagnant water, especially when disinfectant levels are inadequate or systems contain biofilm and sediment.Toronto Has Already Seen A Rise In Legionella Cases The current investigation comes against a broader increase in legionellosis in Ontario. Public Health Ontario reported 94 laboratory-confirmed cases between January 1 and June 16, 2026. Of these, 35 were linked to a cluster or outbreak, compared with an average of just 3.6 outbreak-associated cases during the same period from 2021 to 2025.The province also recorded an earlier-than-expected increase in cases in April, when the rate was 1.8 times higher than the average for the previous five years.For Toronto residents, however, health officials are stressing that the current investigation does not mean there is a widespread public health emergency.What Is Legionnaires’ Disease?Also read: Legionnaire’s Disease Outbreak Kills 2 And Sickens 58 In New York City- Know Symptoms And RiskLegionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which naturally occur in water. In some cases, it could lead to serious complications. The bacteria become a health concern when they multiply in human-made water systems. These can include cooling towers, large plumbing systems, hot tubs, showers, humidifiers and decorative fountains.People can become infected by breathing in tiny droplets or vapour containing the bacteria. Drinking contaminated water is not considered the usual route of infection, and people generally do not catch Legionnaires’ disease simply by being around someone who has it.Who Is Most At Risk?Most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not develop severe disease. However, the risk of serious illness is higher among:Older adultsPeople who smokePeople with chronic lung disease or other underlying health conditionsPeople with weakened immune systemsSymptoms can include fever, cough, shortness of breath and muscle aches, and the infection can become severe enough to require hospitalisation. Legionnaires’ disease can also be fatal, particularly in vulnerable people.