Cooling Towers Suspected for Legionnaires’ Outbreak

SOUTH WALES(GaeaTimes.com) — Cooling towers in South Wales are suspected for Legionnaires’ outbreak that took two lives. Health Officials ordered to temporarily shut down the cooling towers in the industrial estate that were reopened after the towers were cleaned and disinfected.

Though the name of the companies are not revealed but companies in the site of Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil were suspected to trigger the outbreak. Sample testing clarified the sources of legionella bacteria from the cooling towers. The outbreak caused death of two people in the last week and 17 others were infected and admitted to the hospital. Investigations are being carried out in the industrial estates.

Facts About Legionella Bacteria

• The legionella bacteria can be potentially life threatening disease having an incubation period of nearly three weeks.
• The symptoms of this disease include high temperature, feverishness and chills, coughs, muscle pains, headaches, pneumonia, mental confusion and diarrhoea.
• If people are unwell, they should immediately seek medical advise.
• The bacteria can spread through the air in tiny water droplets.