Legionnaires' coast cases probe

The disease is contracted by inhaling Legionella bacteria

Health officials are investigating two cases of Legionnaires' disease on Lancashire's Fylde coast.

Two people are in hospital and one is believed to be seriously ill, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.

HPA officials are looking into whether there is a common source of infection, although a third case from Blackpool has been ruled out.

The cases follow the death of a tourist who was struck down with the disease following a trip to the resort.

Police are investigating the death of Karen Ann Taylor, from Birmingham, who was diagnosed after staying with her husband at Pontin's in July.

She died in Selly Oak hospital on 29 August.

If we do find that there is a source of infection in the locality, we will of course take immediate steps to eliminate the risk Dr Steven Gee, HPA

The HPA has made no link to the recent cases and said the investigation had been started because the cases had appeared in the same area at the same time.

The latest cases, which the HPA said "appeared to be sporadic", involve people from the Fleetwood area.

Dr Steven Gee, consultant in communicable disease control with the HPA, said: "We are looking into the cases with colleagues from NHS North Lancashire and Wyre Borough Council's Environmental Health Department.

"People should remember that sporadic cases of Legionnaires' disease are not uncommon and it may very well be that the cases are not linked.

"However, as they occurred at the same time in broadly the same geographical area, it is important that we investigate.

"If we do find that there is a source of infection in the locality, we will of course take immediate steps to eliminate the risk."

Symptoms of the disease are similar to a flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever, leading on to pneumonia.

It can be treated with antibiotics.

The disease is most often contracted by inhaling mist from water sources such as whirlpool baths, showers and cooling towers which are contaminated with Legionella pnuemophila bacteria.