Bassetlaw: Hospital deny outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease
This week the hospital were quick to deny a claim that it is dealing with an outbreak of the bacteria.
The Guardian were alerted by a reader, who did not want to be named, who believed that doctors had been treating more than one person.
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Hide AdThe woman said she was aware of a female inside the hospital who was being treated.
She also said that the disease had been caught outside of the hospital.
However, Bassetlaw Hospital was quick to calm any fears.
Maurice Madeo, deputy director of infection, prevention and control at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals, said: “We have one person being treated for Legionnaires’ at Bassetlaw Hospital.”
“At this time of year it is not uncommon for the Legionella bug to be more prevalent, with the increased use of air conditioning units and people returning from holiday’s abroad.”
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Hide AdLegionnaires’ disease is a serious lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria.
Initial symptoms include a high fever, muscle pain and chills.
It is caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water.
A spokesperson for Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals added: “We treat all cases of Legionnaires’ disease with antibiotics either in tablet form or by a continuous drip into a vein.”