'Low risk' of further bug deaths

The bacteria were found on a shower head and hot tub in a lodge

Visitors to a leisure resort where deadly bacteria have been found are being reassured the risk of contracting Legionnaire's disease is low.

Legionella bacteria were discovered on a shower head and hot tub at Piperdam, near Dundee.

Health officials are investigating the complex after a man who spent time there died of the infection in Norfolk.

NHS Tayside is contacting those who visited the site between 2 and 15 April and a helpline has been set up.

The Health Protection Agency said the man died at the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, Norfolk.

It is understood he came from Suffolk.

'Treatable disease'

Symptoms of Legionnaire's disease include a high fever, sweating, severe headache, shortness of breath, pain in the side of the chest, a dry cough or one with greenish, thick mucous, and muscle aches and pains.

The incubation period ranges from two to 10 days.

Professor Hugh Pennington, one of Scotland's leading microbiologists, told the BBC Scotland news website that the elderly and those with existing health worriers were most at risk.

He said: "It's unfortunately one of the more serious infections we have to deal with, particularly in people who already have health problems.

"There's an appreciable mortality with this thing, so it's a disease we have to take very seriously.

"The risk is quite low, but obviously if anybody has got any sort of health problems which appeared after staying at the resort they should seek medical advice, because the disease is a treatable disease."

The swimming pool, spa and lodges have been shut

Prof Pennington added that the bug can fester on shower heads and hot tubs if water is not blasted with chlorine every now and then.

He advised that really hot water should also be put through the system occasionally to kill any bacteria.

Owners of the Piperdam resort have voluntarily closed their lodges, swimming and spa facilities and have said their deepest sympathies were with the family of the man who died.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by inhaling infected water droplets and cannot be passed from person to person.

Prof Pennington said that people should therefore not worry about having caught the infection by being in contact with the victim.

"We don't get the infection spreading from person to person, it's basically from environment to person and there it stops," he said.

"It's really quite rare for it to happen in the north of Scotland.

"The Legionella's about, but it's not there in very large amounts.

"And the weather, generally speaking, the temperature is against it in the environment."

The NHS helpline for those who have visited the site and have concerns is 0800 02 82 816.

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