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Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak in Rotherham Under Investigation
7 Oct
Summary
- Health officials are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases.
- The disease is a severe pneumonia contracted from contaminated water droplets.
- The risk to the general public is considered low and it's not person-to-person.
Specialists from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) are actively investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease linked to Rotherham.
This severe form of pneumonia is contracted by breathing in water droplets containing legionella bacteria, often from systems like air conditioning or infrequently used taps and showers.
The UKHSA is collaborating with Rotherham Council and other partners to determine if a common source exists for the "small number of cases." Symptoms, including cough, shortness of breath, and flu-like symptoms, warrant immediate medical advice via NHS 111 or a GP.
Dr. Andy Irvine of UKHSA Yorkshire & Humber noted that while some cases might be isolated, the agency is identifying potential links for public health action. The council stated the risk to the wider public remains low, as the disease is not typically spread between people and is treated with antibiotics, sometimes requiring hospitalization.
