Potting mix blamed for legionella case

Another case of legionnaires' disease has been reported in Christchurch, but officials say it is from a different strain to the city's recent outbreak.

The victim probably picked up the legionella bacteria from breathing in dust from potting mix, said Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Mel Brieseman.

The strain, legionella longbeachae, was commonly found in compost and soil and potting mix, and caused one or two infections a year in the province.

Twenty cases of legionnaires' disease were notified in Christchurch this year, and three people died in what was the city's worst outbreak.