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2010-01-02 13:05:27 - Epidemic Hazard - United Kingdom EDIS CODE: EH-20100102-24394-GBR
Date & Time: 2010-01-02 13:05:27 [UTC]
Area: United Kingdom, England, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals, Basildon '!!! WARNING !!! Not confirmed information! Description: Health chiefs are investigating a possible outbreak of legionnaires' disease at a hospital which was recently under scrutiny for blood-splattered equipment and an unusually high patient mortality rate. The probe was launched at Basildon University Hospital in Essex after two patients were suspected to be infected with the bacteria. Tests are now being conducted to discover the source of the suspected outbreak, a hospital spokeswoman said. Swabs from both the patients, who were staying in different parts of the hospital, have been sent away to a laboratory for further analysis, she said. "We are investigating two suspected cases of legionnaires' disease," said the spokeswoman. "We do lots of testing for legionella in patients who have suspicious respiratory infections. "We have had problems with the disease before so we are acutely aware of the risk of the bacteria. We have particularly high levels of control and are constantly performing checks and taking preventative measures." She said the last outbreak of the disease at the hospital was in 2007.
The name of Hazard: Legionnaires disease
Species: Human
Status: Suspected
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