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Legionnaires' disease bugs uncovered at Holyrood

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Published Date: 29 January 2009
BACTERIA that can cause Legionnaires' disease was found in the water supply at the Scottish Parliament building seven months ago, it was revealed yesterday.
Officials insisted there had been no risk to anyone and said the contaminated source was immediately isolated and cleaned.

The bacteria was found in two "seldom-used" water outlets, not drinking taps, and traced to a hot-water tank inside 17th-century Queensberry House, officials said. The tank supplies water to the historic block and another building on the Canongate side of the parliament.

MSPs on Holyrood's housekeeping committee were informed last week. One member, Alex Johnstone, a Conservative, said: "It's been taken as a lesson for the future."

The bacteria – found naturally in hot and cold water – can lead to flu-like symptoms if inhaled as a vapour, but can prove fatal.

A parliament spokesman said the findings were not revealed to MSPs at the time because the risk was "not considered critical".



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1

Charles Linskaill,

Edinburgh 29/01/2009 03:11:50

What a Scandal!

One can be excused, if this was an Old Dilapidated Building, but How Much was Spent on the,....
...."Scottish Parliament building"?, and they have this problem!
Someone needs their,....'Knuckles Rubbed'!


2

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 29/01/2009 20:24:23
It makes a good headline but in 2007, last figures available, the Health & Safety Executive(HSE)received over 4,500 reports of possible traces of Legionella Infections in public (and occasionally private) buildings occupied by large numbers of staff or visited by large numbers of the public, the length and breadth of the UK! Reports of suspected outbreaks are regularly received each year.

In 2002, one of the worst outbreaks was at the council owned arts and leisure centre in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in which, tragically, 7 people died and 180 others suffered the effects of this deadly infection.

However, the vast number of healthy people exposed to the Legionella Infection do not become ill and it CANNOT be transferred from person to person.

It normally affects middle aged and elderly smokers who are already in poor health with chest or lung problems.

It is a common infection in the water supplies of mainly public buildings throughout the developed world but also exists in natural water systems like ponds and rivers throughout the world. (Source HSE)
3

Paddi,

29/01/2009 21:14:18
For gods sake dont do a thing about it!
4

redcliffe62,

12/03/2009 14:11:47
having watched domhair i assumed when we were talking about bugs at holyrood that they were of the espionage variety.

 

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