INVESTIGATIONS ARE continuing into a legionnaires’ disease scare at Piperdam Golf and leisure resort near Dundee.

A 60-year-old man who recently stayed at the Angus complex died of a suspected case of the illness on Friday morning at a hospital in Norfolk.

Environmental health officers have been carrying out tests at the site to determine if the resort could be the source of the infection.

Phil Mulholland, the owner of Piperdam, has decided to close the resort to new arrivals for two weeks as a precaution but stressed it is not clear where the man contracted his illness.

“We regard the safety of our customers as paramount and for that reason we are putting into place a number of steps to minimise the risk of anyone possibly being affected,” he said.

“Although we can’t be sure where the illness was contracted we wanted to be completely safe and always put the welfare of our customers before all other considerations.”

Mr Mulholland added the man did not use their swimming or spa facilities, both of which remain open.

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said investigations are continuing.

“The Health Protection Agency (England) and NHS Tayside can confirm they are currently investigating a potential single case of legionnaires’ disease,” she said.

“The patient was being treated in hospital in the east of England but sadly died on Friday, April 11.

“The patient had recently visited Tayside before becoming ill.

“The health protection teams are working together with local authorities to investigate all possible sources of infection.”

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by types of bacteria commonly found in the air in very fine droplets of water.

It is not contagious and can be treated effectively by antibiotics.