Health authorities in Melbourne have reported at least 22 confirmed and six suspected cases of Legionnaires' disease since Friday, predominantly affecting adults over 40 years old, many of whom required hospitalization and intensive care due to severe pneumonia. The outbreak has raised concerns as symptoms can escalate quickly, leading to critical illness. Investigations are ongoing to identify the outbreak's source, focusing on local cooling towers and other potential contamination sites, given that the bacteria thrive in natural and artificial water systems. The Victorian Department of Health advises individuals who have visited or live in metropolitan Melbourne to seek medical attention if they exhibit symptoms such as fever, chills, and cough. Those at higher risk include the immunocompromised, smokers, and individuals with preexisting health conditions. Health officials emphasize that the disease is contracted through inhalation of contaminated water droplets, not through person-to-person transmission.