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Four Legionnaires' cases confirmed in Edinburgh outbreak Legionnaires' cases confirmed in Edinburgh outbreak rise to six
(about 4 hours later)
At least four people have contracted Legionnaires' disease following an outbreak in Edinburgh. Two more cases of Legionnaires' disease have been confirmed in Edinburgh.
NHS Lothian said four men, aged 39, 48, 60 and 63, were being treated in hospital after being confirmed as having the disease. It brings the number of people known to have contracted the illness following an outbreak in the city to six.
Three are in intensive care, while another is being cared for in a high dependency unit. They all are being treated in intensive care or in high dependency units. Four others are suspected of having the disease.
Four other people, two women, both aged 49, and two men, aged 88 and 63, are also suspected of having the illness. Industrial water cooling towers in the south west of Edinburgh, where all of the cases have come from, have been identified as a potential source.
All of the cases have come from the south west area of Edinburgh since 7 May. Samples have been taken from four towers and sent for analysis.
Environmental health officials are trying to locate the source of the outbreak. NHS Lothian said six men were being treated for the disease, with four other potential cases being investigated.
NHS Lothian said the Legionella bacteria is commonly found in sources of water, such as rivers and lakes. All ten are linked geographically to the Dalry, Georgie and Saughton areas. The first case was identified on Thursday 28 May.
It can end up in artificial water supply systems, including air conditioning systems, water services and cooling towers. The Legionella bacteria is commonly found in sources of water, such as rivers and lakes. It can end up in artificial water supply systems, including air conditioning systems, water services and cooling towers.
However, the health board has reassured residents the source is not thought to be linked to water supplies. The health board has reassured residents the source is not thought to be linked to domestic water supplies.
The disease is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person. Dr Duncan McCormick, consultant in public health and chair of the incident management team, said: "Investigations into the possible source of this outbreak are on-going and we continue to urge anyone who develops symptoms of Legionnaires' disease to contact NHS 24 or go to their GP."
The source of the outbreak was being investigated by the city council's environmental health department and the Health and Safety Executive.
Colin Sibbald, environmental health manager at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "It was identified that the potential source was most likely from some form of wet cooling tower connected to air conditioning systems or processes.
"Environmental health officers identified two premises in the west of the city that had these cooling towers. Samples were taken from their towers and have been sent for analysis."
He added: "This morning, two further premises have been identified in the west of the city, which officers have also visited to take samples.
"Those responsible for the maintenance of the cooling towers at these four locations have been advised to carry out additional chemical treatment of the water within the cooling system as a precautionary measure."
Other possible sources were not being ruled out.
Legionnaires' disease is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person.
It is contracted by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water.It is contracted by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water.
Symptoms include mild headaches, muscle pain, fever, a persistent cough and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.Symptoms include mild headaches, muscle pain, fever, a persistent cough and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.
About half of those with Legionnaires' disease will also experience changes to their mental state, such as confusion. NHS Lothian said some GP surgeries would be closed on Tuesday for the Jubilee bank holiday.
NHS Lothian said steps were being taken to treat cooling towers in the south west Edinburgh area as a precaution until the source is located.
Dr Duncan McCormick from the health board said: "I think in this case the links between the cases appear to be more where they are living, which suggests it is unlikely to be due to anything like compost, or any sort of domestic environment.
"I would be able to reassure people, that based on current information, there certainly does not appear to be anything to do with domestic water supplies, or any domestic activities, such a gardening or compost."
Anybody who develops symptoms of Legionnaires' disease has been urged to contact NHS 24 immediately or go to their GP.
NHS Lothian said all GP surgeries would be open on Monday, however some will be closed on Tuesday for the Jubilee bank holiday.