LEGIONNAIRES DEATH

An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease has been declared in a town where one woman has died and two people continue to suffer from the illness.

Public health officials say the three cases in Redditch, Worcestershire, are linked and are trying to isolate the source.


A woman in her 60s, who was being treated for the illness, died at the town's Alexandra Hospital on Wednesday.

A second woman, also in her 60s, remains in a critical but stable condition.

The condition of the third patient to be diagnosed with the disease, a man in his 50s, was said to be improving.

Environmental and Public Health officials said urgent action was being taken to identify and control the source of the infection, which causes a rare form of pneumonia.

Local businesses are being contacted to check that wet cooling systems are properly disinfected.

Health staff and members of the public are being warned to remain alert for signs of the infection.

The early symptoms include a flu-like illness with muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, a dry cough and fever which can lead to pneumonia.

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