Legionella bug found in hospital

People can be infected without developing symptoms

The bacteria which cause Legionnaires' disease have been found in hospital buildings in Bristol.

The legionella bug was detected in the hot water system in one of the buildings at Southmead Hospital.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership is carrying out actions to eradicate it.

"This issue does not affect any of North Bristol NHS Trust's facilities at Southmead and none of our patients are affected," said a spokesman.

Laura McMurtrie, chief executive of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust added: "'We understand that there is concern about legionella and have taken steps to ensure the safety of staff, services users and visitors to the ward.

"Advice about legionella has been made available. Professional advice received is that the risk to health is low, and the actions taken so far show the levels are reducing even further."

Legionnaires' disease is a rare form of pneumonia, which can be contracted by inhaling mist from water sources.

It cannot be passed from one person to another.

The disease has an incubation period of two to 10 days, but people can become infected with the bacteria without developing symptoms.

Health experts have said the mortality rate for Legionnaires' is between 5% and 30% with medical treatment, and as high as 80% if it goes untreated.