Disease

Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Victoria, Australia

Three people have contracted the potentially deadly legionnaires' disease in Melbourne west.

Early symptoms are flu-like, and include headache, fever, chills, confusion and muscle aches and pains.

These initial symptoms develop into respiratory problems and pneumonia within three or four days, with the full onset of the disease within 10 days of infection.

People aged over 50, heavy smokers or drinkers, diabetics, people with chronic lung disease and people with immune system deficiencies are at the highest risk.

Fifteen Victorians have contracted the illness this year, which is down from 23 at the same time in 2013.