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UKHSA investigates Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Rotherham
Overview
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is investigating a small number of Legionnaires' disease cases linked to Rotherham, working alongside Rotherham Council and other partners to identify potential common sources.
Key points
- Specialists from the UKHSA are investigating a higher than usual number of Legionnaires' disease cases reported in the last month.
- The UKHSA is working with Rotherham Council to investigate potential common sources and links between the cases.
- Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia caught by breathing in water droplets containing legionella bacteria, but it is not usually spread from person to person.
- The overall risk to the wider public is considered low.
- Symptoms include a cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, high temperature, or flu-like symptoms, and those affected are advised to contact NHS 111 or their GP.