Deadly bug found in train toilet systems

Traces of a potentially fatal bacterium have been found in the toilet water systems of trains in Scotland.

ScotRail confirmed it detected legionella - which is linked to the deadly form of pneumonia Legionnaires' disease - in two water tanks. The operator sampled 15 tanks after being alerted to another train operator having discovered the bacterium.

Across the UK, it is reported that one in three of 150 train toilet systems tested positive for legionella - with ScotRail recording a lower figure of one in seven.

In recent weeks there have been three deaths known to have been caused by Legionnaires' disease in Scotland, however there are no known cases of the illness being contracted on a train.

Infection is caused by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. The disease cannot be passed from one person to another.

A ScotRail spokesman said the firm had taken "immediate action" and that it was working to disinfect all of its water tanks.