Legionnaires’ bug at five police stations

Nov 29 2007 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

LEGIONNAIRES’ disease bacteria have been discovered at five North-East police stations, The Journal can reveal.

Routine tests confirmed the outbreak during a pre-planned programme testing the water systems in Northumbria Police buildings for the presence of the Legionella bug.

The stations involved are in Westgate Road, Newcastle; Gillbridge Avenue, Sunderland; High West Street, Gateshead; Bridge Street, Blyth, Northumberland; and the Marine Police Unit, Jarrow.

Assistant chief constable Keith Mavin said: “Northumbria Police is currently carrying out a pre-planned programme of testing the water systems in its buildings for the presence of the Legionella bacteria.

“Samples obtained from the staff shower facilities at the stations show small amounts of bacteria.

“We have, therefore, isolated the showers for full sterilisation to take place. At the end of the sterilisation process, the facilities will be tested again and will only be re-opened if they are found to be clear of the bacteria.

“We have been advised by our occupational health unit that exposure to the bacteria does not necessarily lead to Legionnaires’ disease being contracted. The risk in this case is considered to be low, so everyone who uses the showers is being kept fully informed of the situation.”

The force has advised officers and staff at its stations about the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease and the need to seek early medical treatment.

The disease, which can cause pneumonia, is not contagious and is treatable with antibiotics.

Mr Mavin said: “We do not consider that any member of the public visiting these police stations has been exposed to the bacteria. All our police stations remain open and fully operational.”

Northumbria Police have tested 30 of their operational stations but another 30 are still to be checked.

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said: “At the moment, we are just making a few routine inquiries to determine if we do need to investigate.”

Last July, 115 people were believed to have been affected by the Legionnaires’ bug at Sunderland leisure club Springs. Of these, two were confirmed as having Legionnaires’ disease and five of having Pontiac Fever, a milder version caused by the same organism.

Three people needed hospital treatment after the outbreak, which led Springs to shut the health club.

At Barrow-in-Furness in 2002, six women and a man died and another 172 were infected during an outbreak at the town’s Forum arts centre.

The borough council was cleared of corporate manslaughter but fined for breaches of health and safety regulations.

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Bacteria widespread, but disease can be cured with antibiotics

LEGIONNAIRES’ disease is a bacterial infection that may cause pneumonia. Most cases are reported as single (sporadic) cases but outbreaks can occur.

Legionella bacteria are widely distributed in the environment. They have been found in ponds, hot and cold water systems, and water in air conditioning cooling systems.

The disease is spread through the air from a water source. Person to person spread does not occur. Breathing in aerosols from a contaminated water system is the most likely route of transmission.

The early symptoms 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% to 15% of otherwise healthy individuals and may be higher in some groups of patients.

The incubation period ranges from two to 10 days, but is usually five to six days. In rare cases some people may develop symptoms as late as three weeks after exposure.

Antibiotics are effective in treating the disease. A rapid diagnosis can be made by testing a urine sample from the patient, once the symptoms have occurred.