Three hit by Legionnaires' disease

Two men and a woman pensioner are being treated for Legionnaires’ disease in the North, it emerged tonight.

At one stage, two of them were seriously ill but are now showing signs of recovery.

They were admitted for hospital treatment at the end of last month, according to the Eastern Health and Social Services Board. The three had been living in the Newtownards, Co Down and neighbouring north Down areas.

The source has not been traced.

The disease is a form of pneumonia which can result in serious illness, particularly among elderly.

Dr Philip Donaghy, a consultant in communicable disease control who is heading up the board’s investigation into the outbreak said: “We are actively working with our partner agencies to try to establish a source of the infection.

“However we must be cautious at this early stage of the work because it is not always possible to identify a clear source for an infection of this nature.”