Health chiefs probe four Legionnaire’s cases

Public Health England said all four had been confirmed since July 27 and were recovering from the illness. No common links between them had been identified.

Operators of major cooling towers on the banks of the Humber are being contacted to introduce extra cleaning measures as the bacteria which cause the disease, an uncommon form of pnuemonia, can be spread by them.

Dr Simon Padfield, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control with Public Health England in Humberside, said: “We are working closely with colleagues at North East Lincolnshire Council, the Health and Safety Executive and the NHS in North East Lincolnshire to investigate any possible sources of infection. No source has been identified to date.

“All four cases are currently recovering. Family doctors in the area have been contacted to ask them to be vigilant for patients with symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease.”

He stressed no particular cooling tower has been identified as a potential source of infection.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the legionella bacteria.The disease, which can be treated by antibiotics, is caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. It is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person.

Dr Padfield added: “It is important to stress that Legionnaires’ disease does not spread from person to person and the wider risk to public health is currently low. There is no need for anyone who is well or only mildly unwell with symptoms of respiratory illness to see their GP. People should continue to use health services and seek medical attention if respiratory symptoms worsen, as they would normally.”