'Legion' bug alert at resort after death of visitor

Published on Thursday 17 April 2008 00:28

PART of a leisure resort was closed yesterday after the bacteria which causes the deadly Legionnaire's disease was found on the site.

An inquiry was launched after a 60-year-old man, who had visited the Piperdam resort near Dundee, died of the disease on Friday at a hospital in England.

Officials have now found Legionella bacteria in a shower-head and hot-tub at one of the resort lodges.

NHS Tayside is contacting people who stayed at the resort from 2 to 15 April, as well as those who used shower facilities on-site.

Piperdam said the park would remain closed until there was no further risk to guests.

Owner Phil Mulholland said: "The health and safety of our guests is of paramount importance at all times.

"As soon as we were aware of the potential presence of the disease, we notified our customers of the risk and closed the park.

"We are co-operating fully with NHS Tayside Health Protection and Angus Council Environmental Health Team in their investigation.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this sad time."

The golf resort, gym, restaurant, bar and fishing facilities remained open.

Symptoms of Legionnaire's disease include high fever with sweating, severe headache, shortness of breath, pain in the side of the chest and muscle aches.

It is caught by inhaling infected water droplets.

The incubation period for the disease ranges from two to 10 days.

Anyone who visited the resort in the affected timeframe and was concerned or had become ill with one or more of the symptoms was urged to contact their GP.