A patient at a Lancashire hospital is in intensive care after testing positive for Legionnaires' disease. The Blackpool Victoria hospital is carrying out an investigation but says there is no outbreak and has taken steps to minimise any potential risk.
The man, who was being treated for pneumonia, tested positive for Legionella, the bacteria which causes the disease.
The hospital says the patient is responding to treatment.
It is thought no further cases have been detected.
Minimise risk
Legionnaires' disease is most often contracted by inhaling mist from water sources such as whirlpool baths, showers, and cooling towers which are contaminated with the Legionella bacteria.
If the bacteria reaches the lungs it can cause Legionnaires. The disease can only be contracted from a contaminated water system. It cannot be passed from one person to another.
Tests have been carried out both at the hospital and at the patient's home.
In a statement, the hospital said it had taken steps to minimise any potential risk, which included arranging for the treatment of the water systems that supply several of its wards.
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