A potentially fatal lung disease that can be picked up from showers and taps has been detected in two parts of London.
Health experts are urgently working to see whether the clusters of Legionnaires’ disease cases are linked, and retracing steps to try and determine their possible source.
Legionnaires’ disease, which is a type of pneumonia, is contracted by breathing in tiny droplets of water which contain bacteria that causes the infection.
It is usually picked up from things like air conditioning systems, humidifiers, hot tubs and taps and showers that are not used often.
Most infections are reported as single, isolated cases, but the UKHSA said outbreaks can occur.
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It is usually treated with antibiotics, with the majority of people making a full recovery after a few weeks.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) usually logs around 300 cases each year in England and Wales.
Dr Janice Lo, a health protection consultant at UKHSA London, said: ‘At this stage, a common source has not yet been confirmed, but we are undertaking further investigations, with partners, that will provide us with more information.
How do you get Legionnaires’ disease and what are the symptoms?
Legionnaires’ disease can be caught be breathing in tiny droplets of water containing bacteria that cause the infection.
It’s usually caught in places like hotels, hospitals or offices where the bacteria has got into the water supply. It is less common to be caught at home.
It can be found in places like:
- taps and showers that are not often used
- air conditioning systems
- humidifiers
- hot tubs and spa pools
Symptoms of Legionnaires’ include:
- cough
- shortness of breath
- pain or discomfort in chest, especially when breathing or coughing
- a high temperature
- flu-like symptoms
Source: NHS
‘Legionella bacteria are widely distributed in the environment and can multiply in large water systems within buildings. It is important that water systems are properly maintained with regular testing and treatment to ensure that bacteria do not multiply and cause a risk to health.
‘Signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include a flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever, and people with these symptoms should call NHS 111 or their GP for medical advice.’
There have been several notable Legionnaires’ cases in the UK in recent years.
Last year, Donna Jobling, 57, was left fighting for her life in a coma after catching the bug while on an all-inclusive holiday in Greece.
In 2023, 39 asylum seekers were evacuated from the Bibby Stockholm barge after the discovery of Legionella bacteria in the water supply.
An inmate at HMP Lincoln died after contracting Legionnaires’ disease at the jail.
Water samples from his cell and the prison shower blocks tested positive for legionella, and a company which provided services in the prison was later fined £600,000 over health and safety failings.
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