Legionnaires' bug found in school

13 June 2007

THE bacteria which can cause the potentially-deadly Legionnaires' disease was last week found in a Newham school, the Recorder has discovered.

John F Kennedy special school, Stratford, has been closed since Wednesday. Pupils returned to lessons elsewhere from Tuesday, but the problem is not set to be fully sorted and the hot water back in use until Monday next week as the school is still awaiting the all-clear after extensive cleaning, a Newham Council spokeswoman said.

The bacterium Legionella - found in hot and cold water systems, air conditioning cooling systems and ponds - was discovered in the water system at the Pitchford Street school site during a routine test.

The school was informed of the positive test results on Tuesday morning and the hot water system was closed down immediately.

The contamination was in the hot water outlet in the staff room. Contractors started cleaning the system that day.

Inhaling

No one has fallen sick and the school is "completely safe", a council spokeswoman told the Recorder on Thursday.

The disease, which is not contagious, is contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets containing the Legionella organisms. Some investigators believe that the disease may be acquired also by drinking contaminated water.

As pupils are still unable to use the hot water in the premises, arrangements were made for some to attend classes at the site of the neighbouring Rokeby secondary school, others to attend the Beckton annexe, and others to get trips out, explained the Town Hall spokeswoman.

Full, exclusive story from Susan Smith in this week's Recorder