Legionnaires' Outbreak: Another Case Confirmed In Edinburgh

Another Legionnaires' Case Confirmed In Edinburgh

Another case of Legionnaires' disease has been confirmed in an outbreak in the Scottish capital in which two people have died.

The updated figures from the Scottish Government show one further, previously suspected, case of the disease has now been confirmed.

The figures come as it emerged five people are taking legal action over the outbreak in the south-west of Edinburgh.

There have now been a total of 89 cases - 42 confirmed and 47 suspected. The ages of the confirmed cases range between 33 and 81, with more males than females affected.

A micrograph picture of the Legionionella pneumophilia bacteria. The bacteria replicates quickly, part of what makes the disease so infectious

Eight people are in intensive care being treated for the disease, down from a high of 15 last Sunday, and 18 are on general wards.

A total of 18 cases are being treated in the community, 36 have been discharged from hospital and following confirmation of an additional death earlier this week, two people have died.

Seven cases are being treated outside the NHS Lothian area.

The first man to die was named as Robert Air, 56, from the Seafield area of the capital, whose death was reported on June 5.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is very saddening that this outbreak has claimed two lives. However, it is reassuring that the number of cases involved in the outbreak remains static and this is further evidence that the outbreak has reached its peak."

Dr Duncan McCormick, consultant in public health at NHS Lothian, said: "I am pleased to see that once again the numbers of patients with Legionnaires' disease remain static and in line with our predictions.

"One of the suspected cases has been confirmed in the last 24 hours and again that is to be expected. It also reflects the ongoing care and hard work being provided by staff across NHS Lothian."

The five people taking legal action are all understood to have contracted the disease and are seeking answers over what went wrong.

They have instructed law firm Irwin Mitchell who say they are receiving ongoing inquiries about the outbreak.

Their clients include Terry Holleran, 55, who said he has instructed specialist illness lawyers at the firm to help him find out how the outbreak occurred and what can be done to prevent it from recurring.

The Health and Safety Executive and Edinburgh City Council are continuing their investigations into the possible source of the outbreak.

An improvement notice was served on the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh yesterday. However, Edinburgh City Council said the notice served on the museum relates solely to staff training issues and not the operation of cooling towers.

The notice requires the museum to ensure that key staff members are appropriately trained in the management of water systems, which includes overseeing the ongoing monitoring and maintenance regime undertaken by specialist contractors.

The notice does not mean the National Museum of Scotland has been identified as the source of the outbreak. The museum can appeal against it within the next 21 days.

A spokeswoman for National Museums Scotland, which runs the museum, said: "We employ specialist contractors to regularly test, monitor and ensure the safety of our water systems. Tests have confirmed that there are no issues with Legionella in our cooling towers.

"Following a routine inspection by the Health and Safety Executive and the City of Edinburgh Council Environmental Health, both organisations confirmed they are satisfied with our documentation and procedures.

"Environmental Health Officers have now commented on a routine matter and have asked that the staff who appoint and oversee specialist contractors should undertake refresher training."

Two other organisations, pharmaceuticals firm Macfarlan Smith and the North British Distillery, have already been served with improvement notices.

These do not mean any of the cooling towers are the source of the outbreak.

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