Legionnaires' case linked to hotel

Legionnaires' case linked to hotel

Health officials say there is no further risk at the leisure centre

A fourth case of Legionnaires' disease has been linked to the leisure centre at the Cricket St Thomas hotel near Chard.

A Somerset resident is being treated at home on antibiotics.

Three other people - one from Somerset and two from the South East - have recently been treated for the disease after an outbreak traced back to the leisure centre.

One person is still in hospital.

Two to 10 days

Health officials say they are satisfied there is no further risk at the centre.

Hotel spokeswoman Sarah Gallo recently told the BBC: "We are dealing with a bacteria... in all the ways outlined by the Somerset Health Protection Unit."

Legionnaires' disease is transmitted by airborne mist particles from contaminated water sources, such as whirlpool baths and air conditioning units.

Symptoms of the illness, which is not transmitted from person to person, include a chest infection, fever, chills and a cough.

Its incubation period is between two and 10 days and up to one in seven cases can be fatal.