Locals residents in Fife have been told there is no wider risk to the public after a man died from Legionnaire’s disease.
NHS Fife confirmed it was aware of the death linked to the disease, which The Courier understands happened in the Newburgh area of Fife.
The identity of the man who died has not been confirmed. It is also not yet known when he contracted the disease.
Most people contract Legionnaire’s disease by inhaling legionella bacteria which can be present in water or soil.
Symptoms include a cough, chest pain, fever and difficulty breathing.
Joy Tomlinson, director of public health at NHS Fife told The Courier there was no indication of any risk to the wider community at this time.
“NHS Fife is aware of the recent death of an individual from Legionnaires’ disease – a relatively rare but severe form of pneumonia.
“People can catch this infection when they breathe in water droplets containing bacteria,” she said.
Asked about what the health board was doing in response to protect public health, Dr Tomlinson said: “Whenever a case occurs, we follow up possible sources of infection to make sure there is no risk to the wider population.
“We are working closely with colleagues across partner agencies – including environmental health, to investigate potential sources of exposure.
“There is no indication of a wider risk to the community at this time.”
Fife Council service manager Lisa McCann confirmed that the council’s environmental health team worked with NHS Fife to support their investigations into this case.
The NHS says the disease is not usually spread human-to-human in the same way as other illnesses like Covid-19.
Instead, the bacteria is normally found in air conditioning systems and hot tubs as well as taps and showers that are not used often.
What is Legionnaire’s disease?
Experts say older adults, smokers and those with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to the disease.
The disease can be treated with prompt access to antibiotics, but left untreated it can prove fatal.
In 2012, a community outbreak of the disease in Edinburgh saw over 80 cases and four deaths reported.
Health Protection Scotland estimates there are around 20-40 legionella infections reported in Scotland every year, although the majority are among people who have travelled abroad.
