Six Legionnaires’ cases linked

SIX cases of Legionnaires’ disease in the same town could be from a “common source”, according to health experts.

Two patients are “recovering” from the illness, caused by bacteria which is often linked to water systems.

There have been four other cases in Tamworth, Staffs, in the past six months, but all have since recovered. Public Health England experts are now taking detailed histories of where the patients visited.

Dr David Kirrage, of PHE West Midlands, said: “The evidence we have points to the possibility that there is a common source.”

The early symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include a flu-like illness. It can lead to pneumonia and can be fatal but cannot be passed from person to person.