Legionnaires' outbreak claims first victim

The patient who died on Tuesday was in his 50s and had other health conditions.

He was being treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Twenty-one other people were still in a critical condition in hospital today, while a further 19 suspected cases are being investigated.

Most of the victims come from Edinburgh's Dalry, Gorgie and Saughton areas.

Sixteen water cooling towers in the south-west of the city have been chemically treated as tests are carried out to determine where the outbreak began.

Towers in the area were pinpointed as the source of an 1994 outbreak, prompting criticism at the time of "substandard and badly maintained" facilities.

NHS Lothian consultant Dr Duncan McCormick said yesterday the number of cases would "peak" by the weekend but tail off soon after.

"The incubation period of Legionnaires' disease is between two and 14 days but the average is five or six days, so we're expecting to have more cases over the next few days," he explained on BBC programme Good Morning Scotland.

"We hope to have removed the source through our treatment of these cooling towers."

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said it was a significant outbreak but stressed the risk to the general public was low - it is higher for those who have existing health problems.

Residents are advised to contact their GP or NHS 24 if they show symptoms of flu-like illness, diarrhoea, cough or confusion.

louise@peoples-press.com