Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed it is working with B&NES Council following a resident at Pine Court, Radstock, being hospitalised with Legionnaires’ disease, a serious lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria.

Curo, who manages the sheltered housing accommodation at Pine Court, said: “The resident at Pine Court who was taken ill has now been discharged from hospital and we wish him a speedy recovery. We are working closely with Public Health England and B&NES Council’s Public Health Department on this.”

Public Health England say the patient concerned is receiving treatment and is recovering well. Dr Bharat Pankhania, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health England South West, said: “At this stage, it is not possible to pinpoint exactly what led to the illness, but PHE and Environmental Health Colleagues from the Council are undertaking further investigations that will provide more information including exploring a number of possible sources.

“Legionella bacteria are widely distributed in the environment and can live in all types of water, including natural sources, such as rivers and streams and artificial water sources, such as water towers, hot and cold water systems and spa pools.

“These bacteria only become a risk to health when a problem occurs in the maintenance of water systems. People become infected when they inhale legionella bacteria which are aerosolised (carried into the air in tiny water droplets) from a contaminated source.

“Most people exposed to water containing legionella do not become ill with Legionnaires’ disease and the illness cannot be spread from person to person.”

Symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are often flu and pneumonia like and those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions can be particularly at risk. The Journal understands that Curo residents have had their properties disinfected and tested for the bacteria.

Speaking this week, Bristol Water said that testing would be carried out by the company once work is complete in the town. A spokesperson said: “We do treat our water using UV irradiation to remove legionella at our treatment works. It is normally caught through breathing in water droplets, rather than drinking it and the issue tends to be from internal plumbing problems, rather than water supply.”