21 new cases of Legionnaires' in Quebec City

Quebec City's public health authorityconfirmed 21 new cases of Legionnaires' disease on Saturday, bringing the total number of people infected by the airborne bacteriathis summer to 102.

Theoutbreak began in July and has since killed six patients in Quebec City.

Authorities say the bacteria grow in the stagnant water often found in cooling towers ofventilation systemsand infect people once they're inhaled.

To date, public health inspectors have checked and disinfected89 cooling towers in Quebec's Lower Town.

"The towers that were problematic will be revisited on Monday and Tuesday to treat them again, to have continuity for adequate disinfections," said regional director of public health, Dr. Franois Desbiens.

Desbienssaid cooling towers outside the current perimeter would also be cleaned.

On Friday, public health authorities confirmed 16 new cases of Legionnaires' disease.

Quebec City Mayor Rgis Labeaume blamed the provincial government for failing to fully implementthe recommendations in a 1997 reportafter the last major outbreak of Legionnaire's disease in the province.

Health minister Yves Bolduc has said the government will create a registry of buildings with cooling towers, and it will also put in place tougher regulations for inspections and maintenance of those buildings.

Asked once again Saturday why the 1997 report had not been fully implemented, Bolduc blamed theParti Qubcois, as the reportwas released while the PQ was in power.