Victoria’s health department is investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease after three people were struck down with the potentially fatal condition.


The three cases were identified in Melbourne's west and may be linked to cooling towers in the area, authorities say.


Two men and a woman, aged between 47 and 88, have contracted the contagious disease over the past month. They all required hospital treatment, but are now recovering.


The state’s deputy chief health officer, Dr Michael Ackland, said the people affected live or had spent time in the Altona North area, but issued the warning because they also travelled to other parts of the city.