Legion bug alert at research labs

A WORKER is undergoing treatment for Legionnaires disease after traces of the bacteria which causes the potentially-fatal illness were found at his workplace.

The man, from Thrapston, works at Unilever Colworth in Sharnbrook. He has been undergoing hospital treatment for the condition which is a type of pneumonia or lung infection since last month.

Following his diagnosis the company, which employs more than 700 scientists, researchers and support workers at Sharnbrook to help it develop food, home care and personal care products, found traces of legionella bacteria in the waterpipes of one of its buildings. It closed its doors to staff for a day so the system could be disinfected

A Unilever spokesman said water systems at the base were regularly checked and the company took the health and safety of staff very seriously.

He said: “In response to a member of staff at Unilever Colworth being diagnosed with Legionnaires disease in February, additional parts of the water system were tested for the potential presence of legionella bacteria.

“The level of bacteria present within the samples is considered to be a low risk to health and we were advised there was no immediate risk to any of our staff in the area. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the continuing well-being of our staff.”

Unilever worked closely with a leading independent legionella management and control company to contain and eliminate the presence of the bacteria. It is common and can be found naturally in environmental water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs, as well as cooling towers, water tanks and showers.

People can develop Legionnaires disease by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria but the condition cannot be passed from one person to another.

Everyone is potentially susceptible to infection but some people are at higher risk such as smokers, heavy drinkers, people over 45, individuals suffering from a chronic respiratory or kidney disease, people whose immune system is impaired and men are affected more than twice as often as women.

Kettering Evening Telegraph
Last Updated: 16 March 2007