August 31, 2004 ,
by Nic Parkes

Redditch and Bromsgrove PCT have confirmed that a patient is ill in hospital with Legionnaires' disease.

The organisation, which looks after the hospitals, GP surgerys, and ambulances in the area, issued a statement saying that despite this one case, there was no risk to other people: "A single case of Legionnaires' Disease has been confirmed in Redditch.
"The patient, a 67 year old lady, is in a poorly condition at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch."

Nicola Benge, Consultant in Public Health said 'I can confirm that this lady has Legionnaires' Disease. She remains poorly. One case does not mean that there is an outbreak within the town. Together with the local Health Protection Agency and the Borough Council, we are investigating how this lady became infected.'

Legionnaires' disease is a disease that may cause pneumonia, caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila. The majority of cases are reported as single (isolated) cases but outbreaks can occur, with around 200 cases reported each year in England. All ages can be affected but it mainly affects people over 50-years-of-age, and generally more men than women are infected.

The early symptoms of legionellosis include a 'flu-like' illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, dry cough and fever. Sometimes diarrhoea occurs and confusion may develop. These symptoms frequently lead on to pneumonia. Deaths occur in 10-15% of the general population and may be higher in some groups of patients.

Web Source