Third Case of Legionnaires’ Disease Confirmed

A meeting of the Outbreak Control Team has heard that a third person has tested positive for Legionnaires’ Disease.
 
The man stayed at Mackay’s Hotel, Strathpeffer on the weekend of the 16th/17th of June and also used the Jacuzzi.
 
He was confirmed as having the disease this morning and was already receiving treatment at Stirling Royal Infirmary. He is from the Glasgow area.
 
Highland Council staff have contacted most of the guests who visited the hotel between the middle of last month and Monday of this week. Guests have been reassured that the chances of them becoming ill are low but they have been advised to see their GP if they are showing symptoms.
 
Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr. Ken Oates said: “We are continuing to make strenuous efforts to contact guests and local residents who used the leisure facilities at Mackay’s Hotel. Although the risk is low I would encourage anyone with symptoms to see their GP. Several people we have already contacted have reported feeling unwell but this is to be expected in a large number of people and none are currently suspected of having Legionnaire’s Disease.”

The Highland council’s, Head of Environmental Health Alistair Thomson said: “The premises are closed and we are satisfied that there is no ongoing risk to public health. We will be discussing  improvements with the Hotel proprietors to ensure that any necessary works are carried out.”
 
The symptoms to look out for are similar to flu and include fever, dry cough, headache, muscle aches and sometimes also breathlessness and diarrhoea.