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Legionnaires' probe at Pontin's | Legionnaires' probe at Pontin's |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A holiday camp in Blackpool is being investigated by health officials after a former guest was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. | A holiday camp in Blackpool is being investigated by health officials after a former guest was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease. |
The woman, who stayed at the Pontin's camp in July, is seriously ill in a hospital in Birmingham. | The woman, who stayed at the Pontin's camp in July, is seriously ill in a hospital in Birmingham. |
Pontin's, which has six holiday camps across England and Wales, said it was co-operating with the investigation into the "isolated incident". | Pontin's, which has six holiday camps across England and Wales, said it was co-operating with the investigation into the "isolated incident". |
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is investigating the source of the bug. | The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is investigating the source of the bug. |
A spokeswoman for Pontin's said staff had taken action as soon as they were notified of the woman's illness. | |
In isolating the block of apartments, we have now completed a full chlorination of the system and fully tested it Pontin's spokeswoman | In isolating the block of apartments, we have now completed a full chlorination of the system and fully tested it Pontin's spokeswoman |
"We were very sorry to learn that a guest who was on holiday with us in July at Blackpool has been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease and our thoughts are with the family and friends," said the spokeswoman. | "We were very sorry to learn that a guest who was on holiday with us in July at Blackpool has been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease and our thoughts are with the family and friends," said the spokeswoman. |
"Unlike hotels and offices, there are separate boiler and water systems on the Blackpool Park for different apartment blocks. | "Unlike hotels and offices, there are separate boiler and water systems on the Blackpool Park for different apartment blocks. |
"We have therefore been able to identify the apartment and isolate the entire block the guest occupied during their stay. | "We have therefore been able to identify the apartment and isolate the entire block the guest occupied during their stay. |
"In isolating the block of apartments, we have now completed a full chlorination of the system and fully tested it." | "In isolating the block of apartments, we have now completed a full chlorination of the system and fully tested it." |
Investigations are still ongoing to establish whether the park, on Clifton Drive North in St Annes, could have contributed to the illness. | Investigations are still ongoing to establish whether the park, on Clifton Drive North in St Annes, could have contributed to the illness. |
As an additional precaution all other water systems at the park have been chlorinated and tested, the spokeswoman added. | As an additional precaution all other water systems at the park have been chlorinated and tested, the spokeswoman added. |
'Life-threatening' | 'Life-threatening' |
The HPA said park managers had put in place additional procedures to avoid any further possible risk of Legionella to the visitors. | The HPA said park managers had put in place additional procedures to avoid any further possible risk of Legionella to the visitors. |
Dr Steven Gee, of the HPA, said: "Legionnaires' disease is a rare but potentially life threatening illness. | Dr Steven Gee, of the HPA, said: "Legionnaires' disease is a rare but potentially life threatening illness. |
"It is caused by a bacteria commonly associated with water systems and cannot be passed from person to person. | "It is caused by a bacteria commonly associated with water systems and cannot be passed from person to person. |
"Investigations are ongoing and action taken by the company to strengthen its procedures have given reassurance that there is little ongoing risk." | "Investigations are ongoing and action taken by the company to strengthen its procedures have given reassurance that there is little ongoing risk." |
Symptoms of the disease are similar to a flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever, leading on to pneumonia. | Symptoms of the disease are similar to a flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever, leading on to pneumonia. |
It can be treated with antibiotics. | It can be treated with antibiotics. |
The disease is most often contracted by inhaling mist from water sources such as whirlpool baths, showers and cooling towers which are contaminated with Legionella pnuemophila bacteria. | The disease is most often contracted by inhaling mist from water sources such as whirlpool baths, showers and cooling towers which are contaminated with Legionella pnuemophila bacteria. |