The report of a multi-agency investigation into the outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease that occurred in south-west Edinburgh in the summer of 2012 has been published by NHS Lothian health board [1]. The outbreak was declared on Sunday, 3 June 2012, at which time five confirmed cases suggestive of a developing cluster had been notified. A ‘problem assessment… Read more »

A bacterial infection is not just an unpleasant experience — it can also be a major health problem. Some bacteria develop resistance to otherwise effective treatment with antibiotics. Therefore, researchers are trying to develop new types of antibiotics that can fight the bacteria, and at the same time trying to make the current treatment with… Read more »

A mum has revealed she nearly died after she caught sepsis and gangrene from a hot tub – all because of a shaving cut. Hayley Thomas, 46, accidentally nicked her right leg with a razor just hours before climbing into a friend’s hot tub with her son Justin John, five. She woke up the next day covered head to… Read more »

Gardeners are being warned to take care when handling potting mix after three cases of Legionnaires’ disease in eight days were confirmed in the Tasman district. This follows the death of a person in Dunedin from the disease. Four cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been confirmed in 2019. There have been 53 cases in the region… Read more »

Lead exposure is not a new risk to those who work in the manufacturing, construction and service sectors. However, one of the most common sources of lead poisoning—contaminated drinking water—is often an overlooked area of concern on job sites and in the workplace. Although the United States government has been working to reduce lead exposure… Read more »

The death toll from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in a large Lisbon hospital doubled to four on Friday, Portugal’s health authority DGS said, but the number of new cases being discovered appeared to subside. The severe form of pneumonia has made another 40 people sick since it was detected on Oct. 31 at the… Read more »

Researchers in the US say they have created an ultra-slippery toilet coating that could help save vast quantities of water around the world. Scientists at Penn State University say the coating cuts the amount of water required to flush excrement by 90%. They say it also prevents bacteria from building up in toilet bowls and… Read more »

Amidst numerous questions about the possibility of Legionnaires’ disease cases being linked to Harvey Hall, the city has made the decision to close the building, at least temporarily. Jenny Wells with the City of Tyler says Harvey Hall has been temporarily shut down. All building staff have been moved out of the building. FULL ARTICLE

Work to clean up a hospital bacteria outbreak inadvertently led to more contamination, new documents reveal. Brain surgery was postponed at Edinburgh’s Western General in March after a small number of patients contracted the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bug from showers and taps in a ward. FULL ARTICLE

One person’s death ‘may be related to this cluster,’ says official; Mayor says city is working with health unit ‘to help ensure this does not happen again’ The investigation into a legionnaire’s disease cluster in Orillia, which was announced Oct. 11, 2019, is now concluded and declared over with no risk of further transmission of… Read more »