Legionnaires' holidaymaker dies

The legionella bacterium can be found in water systems

An elderly holidaymaker has died after contracting Legionnaires' disease on a trip to Italy.

The man, from Scotland, died on returning from a bus tour organised by Glasgow-based Caledonian Travel.

Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said a second man had picked up the condition and a further two possible cases were being investigated.

The infection experts said a contaminated shower or whirlpool could be to blame.

A team of experts met on Monday to discuss the cases.

All of the travellers returned to various parts of Scotland at the end of August.

The first official notification came last Thursday when two cases where reported. One, the unnamed elderly man, later died.

Regrettably, as has been seen on this occasion, legionella infection can prove fatal Dr Jim McMenamin

A further two suspected cases have been logged and a spokeswoman for HPS said the three remaining cases were giving no cause for concern.

Forty-one holidaymakers visited Italy as part of a coach tour organised by Caledonian Travel, which is a subsidiary of WA Shearings.

The coach passengers and the driver have been kept under close medical inspection.

HPS said the company had been co-operating fully with the investigation.

A spokesman for Caledonian Travel said: "The welfare of our customers during their holiday is a top priority.

"Our thoughts are with the families who have been affected by this tragic event."

The 13-day coach tour involved the use of seven hotels and two ferries.

The spokesman said this made it "very difficult to determine the source of the infection".

Chest infection

Consultant epidemiologist Dr Jim McMenamin, who is investigating the cases, said: "The travellers have been back in Scotland now for 10 days and if they were going to develop symptoms, it is very likely they would have done so by now as 10 days is the upper limit of the incubation period for this infection."

HPS reminded travellers to report any chest infection symptoms to their doctor after being abroad.

Dr McMenamin said: "Regrettably, as has been seen on this occasion, legionella infection can prove fatal.

"It is an infection that cannot be spread from person to person but for which early antibiotic treatment can be life-saving.

"We most frequently see this infection in returning travellers to the UK who have inhaled an aerosol such as that from an infected shower or Jacuzzi, contaminated with this bacteria."

Legionnaires' disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

It is caused by the bacterium legionella pneumophila which can be found in water systems such as showers and spas.