Legionnaires' disease is spread by water droplets

Details about the new cases have not been released as relatives are still being contacted.

One elderly man from Hereford has died since the outbreak began.

The condition of one man, who is in his 70s, deteriorated during Friday night.

Work to decontaminate a cooling tower at Bulmers cider plant in Hereford is continuing.

The evaporation unit is being investigated as a possible source of the outbreak.

Health officials said the increase in cases was "consistent with the incubation period of this infection".

They said the heightened state of awareness among local GPs and hospital staff was helping to diagnose and treat cases quickly.

Initial tests raised the suspicions of health officials hunting for the source of the outbreak.

More tests

Bulmers said there was no direct evidence linking the outbreak to the company and added there was no risk to the public from drinking its products.

Herefordshire Council said more tests were being carried out to try to find out whether the Legionella bug was present at Bulmers.

But it said that, even if Legionella was confirmed, it did not necessarily link Bulmers to the current outbreak.