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Legionnaires’ update
21/06/2012
The latest reports on the Edinburgh Legionnaires’ outbreak show that the number of overall cases now stands at 93.
This is an increase of two cases on yesterday’s total of 91.
There are now 47 confirmed cases, an increase of three and 46 suspected cases, a fall of one.
As these additional cases have been ill for a period of time, expert advice remains that the infection control measures have been effective and that the outbreak is under control.
At noon today, of those cases being treated in hospital, two are in intensive care and 16 are on general wards. 47 patients have been discharged and two patients have sadly died.
The Health and Safety executive and Edinburgh City Council are continuing their investigations into the possible source of the outbreak.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said:
“These numbers continue to be in line with expectations and it is encouraging to see a further drop in the number of cases in intensive care. However we must remember that these people remain critically ill and NHS Lothian continue to provide expert, round the clock care.”
Dr Duncan McCormick, Consultant in Public Health Medicine and Chair of the Incident Management Team, said:
“The number of confirmed cases of Legionnaire’s disease in Lothian has risen by three in the last 24 hours. One of the suspected cases has now been confirmed. The other two new cases tie in with the incubation period and is in line with out expectation as the outbreak tails off. It is reassuring that the number of people who have recovered and been discharged continues to increase.”