Third person dies in Edinburgh in Legionnaires' outbreak

A third man suspected of catching Legionnaires’ disease in Edinburgh has died, NHS Lothian said.

A man in his 60s from south west Edinburgh, considered to have been part of the original outbreak, had been unwell for some time.

The total number of cases remains at 50 with the number of suspected cases at 49, bringing the total number to 99.

There are currently three patients being treated for the disease in intensive care while six people are in general ward and 20 are being treated in the community.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “My sincere condolences go to the family and friends of the patient who has passed away and my thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.

"Despite this sad and tragic news, is important to stress that strong evidence still suggests that all cases are associated with the suspected period of exposure and that the outbreak has peaked.

“I repeat the message that anyone in the affected areas suffering from symptoms since the outbreak began should contact their GP or the NHS 24.

"NHS Lothian are maintaining high quality care for patients who remain unwell and work to identify and deal with the source of the outbreak continues."

Dr Christine Evans, Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: “I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of the patient who has died.

“We continue to see a small number of cases or suspected cases coming forward. I would like to reassure the public that this is in line with expectations. All of these patients have been ill for some time and have links to the south west of Edinburgh.”

Investigations into the source and cause of the outbreak continue. Lothian and Borders Police and the Health and Safety Executive are jointly investigating the circumstances of the deaths under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) Health and Safety Division.

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