Listen
Legionnaires' disease
05/07/2012
The latest reports on the Edinburgh Legionnaires’ outbreak show no change in the number of cases for the second day in a row.
This means the total number of confirmed cases remains at 50, the number of suspected cases is 49 and the total number of overall cases remains at 99.
At noon today, of those cases being treated in hospital, there are two patients in intensive care and seven on general wards.
A total of 20 cases are being treated in the community, 59 have been discharged from hospital and three people have sadly died.
Ten cases are being treated outwith the NHS Lothian area. The ages of the confirmed cases ranges between 32 and 85, with more males than females affected.
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.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"The evidence continues to suggest that the outbreak has peaked.
"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."
For anyone who is concerned about the outbreak, there is information on NHS Lothian’s website or you can contact NHS 24 dedicated legionnaires’ helpline on 0800 0858 531