Legionella
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Hundreds Quizzed Over Legionnaires Outbreak
Legionnaires Outbreak Investigated
 Hundreds of people diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease have been questioned as part of a police inquiry to investigate the Barrow outbreak, which killed five people this summer.
The extensive police and public health inquiries are likely to be published at the beginning of December. Final numbers of people infected with the pneumonia-type disease will be published in the report by the Outbreak Control Team. This figure is likely to be higher than the 146 confirmed victims as a result of additional retrospective blood testing carried out in the follow-up clinics at Furness General Hospital.
Consultant in Health Protection for Cumbria and Lancashire Dr Nick Gent is still compiling details for the Outbreak Control Team's report into the Legionnaires' Disease outbreak. He said: "It's going to be about another six weeks before we complete the report. "We're still awaiting quite a bit of follow-up work before we do all the statistics. It will probably be ready at the beginning of December." Police have spoken to people diagnosed with the potentially fatal disease and to employees of Barrow Borough Council.
The source of Britain's worst outbreak was traced to Forum 28 in Duke Street, Barrow, which is owned by the council. Health and Safety experts discovered the air-conditioning unit had been expelling contaminated vapour from two narrow vents into the alleyway used as a short-cut by up to 1,000 people a day. Cumbria police spokesman Mike Smith said: "We've spoken to a large number of people in connection with this investigation. "These were people who developed the disease and relatives as well as employees and former employees of Barrow Borough Council. "In terms of investigation it's a large scale operation and it's going to be a long-term investigation. "We can't predict when it's going to conclude but it's very probable the investigation will continue to the end of this year. We're working closely with the health and safety investigators and a lot of work has been carried out by the team since the outbreak at the beginning of August." Detective Inspector Geoff Huddlestone said: "A great deal of work has been carried out by the inquiry team since August 2. "Our message to the families is that the investigation is being conducted diligently and thoroughly to establish the circumstances surrounding the outbreak.
For more information, contact:
Alan L. Wozniak, CIAQP
(800) 422-7873 ext. 802
iaq@pureaircontrols.com
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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