Resident struck by Legionnaires

Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

Health officials are investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires disease at a block of flats in Folkestone, Kent.

One resident, who lives in the building on the Leas, is recovering from the illness while others have been warned to look out for symptoms.

Tests carried out to establish the source of the infection found the bacteria in one of the two main water tanks which supply the blocks.

The tanks are now being emptied, cleaned and hyper-chlorinated.

Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

It is not passed from person to person but is spread through contaminated water systems and air conditioning units.

Symptoms include muscle aches, tiredness and a fever.

Dr Matti Chandrakumar, from the Kent Health Protection Agency, said he could not reveal if the patient was a man or a woman because to do so would "breach patient confidentiality".