Centre closed in Legionella scare

Legionnaires' disease is a rare form of pneumonia

A leisure centre in Cheshire has been closed after Legionella bacteria was found in the water system.

Halton Borough Council said the closure of Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes was a precautionary measure.

Halton Primary Care Trust said there had been no recent recorded cases of Legionnaires' disease in the area.

Health officials are continuing to monitor the situation and said they would issue further advice if they found cause for concern.

The council said it was unlikely that anyone who had visited the leisure centre recently would become unwell.

But it said anyone who has visited and starts to feel flu-type symptoms should contact their doctor.

LEGIONNAIRE'S SYMPTOMS Flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever Can lead on to pneumonia Sometimes diarrhoea occurs and confusion may develop Can be treated with antibiotics Legionnaire's Disease

Only those people who have come into contact with showers or other spraying water could be affected, it said.

The closure of the leisure centre, which includes a swimming pool, followed regular health and safety checks.

Fiona Johnstone, Acting Director of Public Health at Halton Primary Care Trust, said: "We have no recent recorded cases of legionnaires' disease in Halton.

"We will, of course, issue advice if we find cause for concern and will continue to monitor the situation."

Legionnaires' disease is a kind of pneumonia which is caused by some types of the Legionella germ.

For it to do any harm to humans, fine droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria have to be inhaled.

These can be released from infected water sources through showers, bath taps, spa pools, fountains, and air conditioning units.