Airport worker contracts Legionnaires'

The man works for an airport security company

A security guard at Gatwick airport has contracted Legionnaires' disease.

The man, who works for a security company contracted by British Airways, is from the Surrey area.

He is being treated at the East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.

A Gatwick Airport spokeswoman said: "At this stage, there is no evidence that the man contracted this disease at the airport."

Stable condition

He said rigorous and regular maintenance checks were carried out on all air conditioning and water systems.

The spokeswoman added: "There is no indication that there is any risk to passengers or staff."

The man is said to be responding well to treatment.

His employer, Securicor Aviation, said it could not give out personal information on members of staff but confirmed the man was based at Gatwick's north terminal.

It is the third case of the disease to come to light in the past few days.

Two men are still in a critical but stable condition in an Essex hospital after they were diagnosed with the disease.

The men, who are being treated at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow are from Essex and Hertfordshire.