Total refinery: Legionella bacteria found in cooling tower water

The cause of the outbreak is currently being investigated but no staff at the site at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire have shown symptoms of the condition and the public are not thought to be at risk.

Refinery workers have been told to wear face masks while the outbreak is contained and staff who are off work or experiencing flu-like symptoms are being offered a blood test.

Public health medics have said that it is relatively common to find the bacteria in places like water cooling systems and it does not necessarily mean that anyone will contract the disease

'Precautionary measures'

A number of blood test samples were sent off on Monday and the results will take 48 hours to come back.

Officials are continuing to check air conditioning systems and water coolers for the legionella bacterium, which is spread in water droplets.

John Llewellyn, General Services Manager at the refinery, said: "All necessary actions have been taken at the refinery to ensure that the risk of exposure to personnel has been minimised.

"Personal protection has been issued to employees.

"Daily testing and additional chloride and biocide dosing of the cooling water system is currently underway."

The Health and Safety Executive is monitoring the alert.

A spokeswoman said: "The company did some routine tests on samples from the cooler and did get a positive reading. It is a low-level result. They did the proper thing and reported it to us.

"There are precautionary measures in place - the cooling system needs to be boosted with these chemicals to get rid of the bacteria.

"There is not much risk at the moment and we have not had any reports of anyone being affected."