Anyone who has used the showers at Beau Sejour in the last two weeks should keep an eye out for symptoms after Legionella bacteria were found in the centre’s water system.
Public Health says the risk of becoming ill remains low, and it does not currently know of any cases of Legionnaires’ Disease in the community.
Legionnaires’ Disease can be serious, with around one in 10 cases resulting in death. Older people and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk.
However, most people exposed to Legionella do not become unwell.
But anyone who develops symptoms after using the showers should seek medical advice and tell their doctor or other healthcare professional that they may have been exposed to Legionella.
Legionnaires’ Disease is a type of pneumonia caused when contaminated water droplets are inhaled.
It is not normally spread from person to person, so there is no risk from hugging or shaking hands with someone who has been exposed.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can include:
• a high temperature or fever
• a cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• chest pain or discomfort
• muscle aches
• headache
• confusion, tiredness or flu-like symptoms.
Symptoms usually develop between two and 14 days after exposure.
Anyone can develop Legionnaires’ Disease, but the risk is higher for older adults, smokers, people with weakened immune systems and those with underlying lung disease.
The discovery was made during routine precautionary testing of Beau Sejour’s water systems.
The centre’s showers were closed immediately after preliminary results were received on Monday afternoon, before the decision was taken to close the whole leisure centre.
Beau Sejour is expected to remain closed through Wednesday while further investigations and testing take place.
