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Inquiry into Legionnaires' cases Inquiry into Legionnaires' cases
(about 6 hours later)
Health officials are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases in North East Lincolnshire after a teacher died of the illness.Health officials are investigating a cluster of Legionnaires' disease cases in North East Lincolnshire after a teacher died of the illness.
Four cases have been identified this year in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area, the Humber Health Protection Unit has told the BBC.Four cases have been identified this year in the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area, the Humber Health Protection Unit has told the BBC.
The 56-year-old Grimsby man who died taught at Sydney Smith School in Hull.The 56-year-old Grimsby man who died taught at Sydney Smith School in Hull.
There is no evidence of a link between his illness and the school or between the four patients, health experts said.There is no evidence of a link between his illness and the school or between the four patients, health experts said.
The man who died became ill at the end of July and tests confirmed he was suffering from pneumonia caused by Legionnaires' disease. He died on 20 August in the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.The man who died became ill at the end of July and tests confirmed he was suffering from pneumonia caused by Legionnaires' disease. He died on 20 August in the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby.
Our investigations have shown no evidence at all of any link between the school and the patient's illness Dr Terry Matthews, Health Proetction AgencyOur investigations have shown no evidence at all of any link between the school and the patient's illness Dr Terry Matthews, Health Proetction Agency
Dr Terry Matthews, consultant in communicable disease control with the Health Protection Agency in Grimsby, said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the patient following his death.Dr Terry Matthews, consultant in communicable disease control with the Health Protection Agency in Grimsby, said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the family of the patient following his death.
"The Health Protection Agency has been working with environmental health colleagues, both locally and in other parts of the UK, to look carefully at places the patient had visited in order to identify where he may have come into contact with the Legionella bacteria."The Health Protection Agency has been working with environmental health colleagues, both locally and in other parts of the UK, to look carefully at places the patient had visited in order to identify where he may have come into contact with the Legionella bacteria.
"At this stage, no source has been confirmed."At this stage, no source has been confirmed.
"As a result of our enquiries, we are aware that the patient worked in a school in the Hull area."As a result of our enquiries, we are aware that the patient worked in a school in the Hull area.
"Our investigations have shown no evidence at all of any link between the school and the patient's illness and the school is not being investigated as a potential source.""Our investigations have shown no evidence at all of any link between the school and the patient's illness and the school is not being investigated as a potential source."
The first case was confirmed in January, with the other three falling ill in July and August.The first case was confirmed in January, with the other three falling ill in July and August.
Possible sourcesPossible sources
A spokesman said: "At this stage, no sources of infection have been confirmed for any of the cases and no common links between them have been identified.A spokesman said: "At this stage, no sources of infection have been confirmed for any of the cases and no common links between them have been identified.
"However, staff from the Health Protection Agency are working with the environmental health team from North East Lincolnshire Council and with North East Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust, to investigate any possible common sources of infection between the cases.""However, staff from the Health Protection Agency are working with the environmental health team from North East Lincolnshire Council and with North East Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust, to investigate any possible common sources of infection between the cases."
The cluster is in common with a rise in the number of Legionnaires' Disease cases which has been seen across the UK since the beginning of August 2006. The cluster is in common with a rise in the number of Legionnaires' disease cases which has been seen across the UK since the beginning of August 2006.
Legionnaires' disease is most often contracted by inhaling mist from water sources such as whirlpool baths, showers and cooling towers.Legionnaires' disease is most often contracted by inhaling mist from water sources such as whirlpool baths, showers and cooling towers.
The most common cause is contaminated air conditioning systems.The most common cause is contaminated air conditioning systems.
Patients show flu-like symptoms in the early stages which can develop into fever and breathing difficulties.Patients show flu-like symptoms in the early stages which can develop into fever and breathing difficulties.
It is fatal in 5-15% of cases, but cannot be passed from one person to another.It is fatal in 5-15% of cases, but cannot be passed from one person to another.