Probe after workers contract Legionnaires' Disease

4:00am Monday 11th June 2007

AN investigation is underway after two workers at a North-East chemical plant contracted Legionnaires' Disease.

Both men, who work at Artenius UK Ltd, Wilton, Teesside, needed hospital treatment.

One of the victims remains in James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he is reported to be responding.

It is not yet known if the two cases are linked, or whether the men picked up the infections at work.

Experts from the Health Protection Agency, Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust and the local authority environmental health department are investigating.

A spokeswoman for Artenius UK Limited told the Northern Echo yesterday: "I can confirm that one of our employees and a contractor working on our site have required hospital treatment.

"The employee, who is not being named, is 47 and has worked at the site for 30 years. He was admitted to the James Cook University Hospital on June 4 after being taken ill with pneumonia-type symptoms.

"The illness was subsequently confirmed as Legionnaires' Disease and he is responding positively to treatment.

"The second person, who is also not being named, works for an agency on the site.

"The 54-year-old was taken to hospital on Thursday, June 7 suffering from flu-like symptoms. It was confirmed that he is suffering from Legionnaires' Disease and was released from hospital the following day.

"We wish them both a speedy recovery."

Dr Kirsty Foster of the local Health Protection Agency said: "Legionnaires' Disease is an uncommon form of pneumonia, caused when a person breathes in air that contains legionella bacteria. These bacteria live naturally in environmental water sources, but if they get into water systems in buildings they can cause a risk to humans through air conditioning systems, showers and spa pools.

"Legionnaires' Disease does not spread from person to person and can only be contracted from the source of the contaminated water."

The company spokeswoman confirmed that Environmental Health Officers were undertaking a full investigation and the company was assisting them in determining possible sources, on or off site.

She added: "In line with legislation, we carry out routine weekly and monthly checks on all water systems. We have reviewed recent results, carried out additional testing and there are no indications of any concerns.

"As a responsible company, we have kept our employees and neighbouring companies fully updated, and will continue to do so."