Disease cluster in East Yorkshire

Symptoms include fever, headaches and loss of appetite

An investigation is under way into a cluster of three cases of Legionnaire's disease in East Yorkshire.

An inquiry has been set up because it is unusual for three cases to occur in the same area in one month.

Health experts said all three patients had become ill in the Hull and East Riding area during August.

The patients are now recovering and doctors are being asked to watch for further cases of the illness which is a form of pneumonia.

Common links

Dr Autilia Newton, from the Humber Health Protection Unit, said: "It is quite unusual to see three cases of Legionnaire's disease in the same area within a few weeks.

"So we are looking carefully to try and identify where these three patients came into contact with the Legionella bacteria and see if there are any common links between them.

"The Legionella bacteria are found in environmental water, especially warm water, and humans catch the bugs by breathing in water which has been turned to droplets of aerosols."