The disease is spread through contaminated water systems

Samples taken from sites across Redditch have failed to find the strain which killed two women in their 60s.

The search for the source of the outbreak is continuing.

The disease is a form of pneumonia and is not passed from person to person. It is spread through contaminated water systems such as air conditioning units.

'No new cases'

David Kirrage, director of the Health Protection Agency in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said half the samples had been examined and no source isolated.

Mr Kirrage said: "We cannot yet declare the outbreak over but the fact that there have been no new cases for two weeks is good news.

"We will continue to monitor the samples and undertake re-sampling if it is indicated.

"Officials from all the agencies involved in the monitoring of the outbreak are still working to try to find the source.

"It may well be, however, that we do not find the source."

The outbreak's third victim, a man in his 50s, has been discharged from the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.