Legionnaires' disease outbreak

Fifth case of Legionnaires' diagnosed in Carmarthen

A fifth case of Legionnaires’ disease has been reported in Carmarthen.

All five people have had links to the town and have been admitted to hospital as a result of their illness.

Legionnaires’ disease is contracted by breathing in droplets from contaminated water sources. It cannot be passed from person to person.

Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and a dry cough, as well as fever, muscle aches, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The council’s Environmental Health department and the Health and Safety Executive are continuing their work to identify the source.

Information has been circulated to GPs and hospitals in the area to advise them to be alert to the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease.

Investigations into an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Carmarthen have identified an additional case of the disease.

The new case brings the total number of cases in the outbreak, being investigated by Public Health Wales and Carmarthenshire County Council, to four.

Anyone who lives or works in the Carmarthen area and has symptoms suggestive of Legionnaires’ disease is advised to contact their GP.

Health officials say they are investigating an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Carmarthen after three people were admitted to hospital.

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