Legion bug alert over city death Oct 6 2003
by Emma Gunby, Liverpool Echo

A MAJOR health alert has been sparked at a Liverpool hospital after a pensioner died from Legionnaires' disease.

The 85-year-old man began showing symptoms of the respiratory disease after being admitted to Broadgreen hospital.

He was transferred to the Royal, where he died on Friday, September 26.

It is not known where the man contracted the disease, which is usually transmitted via air conditioning units or contaminated water supplies.

Health bosses at Broadgreen launched an emergency investigation to discover the source of the deadly disease.

The hospital's water supply has already been checked for the lethal legionella bacteria.

No other patients on the same ward as the man have displayed any symptoms of Legionnaires'.

A spokesman for the Royal said: "An incident team has been formed to investigate the possible source and instigate preventative action."

Dr Kathleen Quigley, a specialist in communicable diseases, said: "I am confident all necessary action is taking place to identify the source and I can reassure the public there is no increased risk of catching this illness."

Up to 15% of cases are fatal

LEGIONNAIRES' disease is a rare form of pneumonia, which takes its name from the first known outbreak in a hotel hosting a convention of the Pennsylvania Department of the American Legion in 1976.

It is transmitted by inhaling the bacteria from contaminated water supplies. The most common sources of the disease are air conditioning units, whirlpool baths and showers.

Symptoms are similar to flu followed by high fevers and shaking chills.

It proves fatal in 5-15% of cases.

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