All-clear for Legionnaire officer

Legionnaires' disease is a rare type of pneumonia

A Northumbria police officer has tested negative for Legionnaires' disease after bacteria which can cause the condition were found at five stations.

Routine tests found traces of the bug in shower areas of police stations in Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Blyth and a marine unit in Jarrow.

The male officer, who is in his 30s and married with children, displayed flu-like symptoms in November.

After a spell in hospital he was given the all-clear and has returned to duty.

Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include a flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever, leading on to pneumonia.

Sometimes diarrhoea occurs and confusion may also develop. It can be treated with antibiotics but can be fatal.