Legionnaire’s disease found in Victoria Barracks
Deadly Legionnaire’s disease has been found at the Windsor barracks of the Coldstream Guards. The historic regiment, one of seven which guard the Queen at Buckingham Palace, were ordered not to use the showers after the bug was detected in a boiler. The legionella bug was found during a routine inspection at the Victoria Barracks. It is believed about 60 showers were out of action, affecting up to 300 soldiers .
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by legionella bacteria infecting the lungs. It is usually caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. If not treated with antibiotics quickly enough the disease can lead to death. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the outbreak, and said it was under control. A spokesman added: “Only one block of showers is closed and nearby alternatives are available while we fix the problem.”
There was an outbreak in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria in 2002 which claimed the lives of six women and a man. A further 172 people contracted the disease, from a contaminated cooling tower an arts centre in the town. Barrow council later became the first public body in the UK to be charged with corporate manslaughter but were cleared. The authority was later fined for breaches of health and safety regulations.
– Selby, A. “Deadly Legionnaire’s disease found in showers at barracks of Queen’s Buckingham Palace guards where hundreds of soldiers live.” Mirror – 8th July 2017
