Legal Experts Call For Action To Be Taken Following Bacteria Discovery

Every effort must be made to learn lessons from the discovery of legionella bacteria in showers at a community centre in Dundee, according to legal experts in Scotland representing victims of the recent Legionnaires’ outbreak in Edinburgh.

Dundee City Council has revealed that the bacteria was found during routine testing of the facilities at the Menzieshill Community Centre in the city, with the shower area now being closed while the water system is treated.

The local authority has stated that there are no “public health issues” to raise following the discovery, while NHS Tayside have also stated that they have not received any reports of people falling ill.

Irwin Mitchell’s Glasgow office are currently acting for a number of people who suffered serious health problems as a result of the major Legionnaires’ outbreak across Edinburgh in recent weeks. The firm also has vast experience representing clients affected by other illness outbreaks in the UK and abroad.

Elaine Russell, a Partner at the firm’s Glasgow office, said: “It is worrying to see this discovery of legionella bacteria emerge just weeks after the outbreak in Edinburgh was declared over.

“We are hopeful that the discovery and subsequent action will ensure that no one ends up being affected by illness problems as a result of this, as we have seen first-hand the impact that Legionnaires’ can have on people of all ages.

“It is also vital that every effort is made to investigate how the bacteria came to be present in the system, with a view to ensuring that the same problems can be avoided in the future.

“We welcome the swift action taken by authorities in this case.”