Woman dies of Legionnaires' disease

Woman dies of Legionnaires' disease

The recent outbreak was linked to the hotel's leisure centre

A woman has died after contracting Legionnaires' disease linked to a Somerset hotel.

The 66-year-old from Hertfordshire, who died in February, is the first confirmed fatality as a result of the recent outbreak linked to the leisure centre of the Cricket St Thomas hotel near Chard.

The hotel - including leisure centre and wildlife park - will be closed from Friday as a precaution to allow a servicing of the water system.

Seven people have been diagnosed with the disease.

Any potential risk to the health of anyone coming to the leisure centre, hotel, or wildlife park is minimal

Somerset Health Protection Unit

Five people required admission to hospital, including two women who are still recovering in Lancashire and Kent.

A 71-year-old man and a woman, 54, both from Somerset, a 55-year-woman from Essex and a woman, 53, from Oxfordshire have also been affected.

A spokesperson for the hotel said: "We are saddened by the news that there are additional cases of the disease, one of whom has died, and extend our deepest sympathies to the bereaved."

'Continued investigation'

The showers and Spa Bath at the leisure centre were closed on 27 February and since then there have been no new cases.

Public Health officials have contacted nearly 4,000 people who have used the facilities, but are still appealing for people who show the flu- like symptoms to contact them or their local GP.

A spokesperson for the Somerset Health Protection Unit said: "Health officials are continuing to investigate the possible source of a recent outbreak of Legionnaires' disease.

"The hotel management are giving their full co-operation with the investigation and are fully implementing the recommendations of health officials.

Incubation period

"Health officials are satisfied that all appropriate precautions have been taken and any potential risk to the health of anyone coming to the leisure centre, hotel, or wildlife park is minimal."

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.