Legionnaires' disease: Three treated in Carmarthen

The outbreak of Legionnaires' disease is thought to focus on the Carmarthen area

Three people have been treated in hospital after an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Carmarthen, say health officials.

Public Health Wales and Carmarthenshire's environmental health officials are trying to identify the affected water source.

It is contracted by breathing in droplets from contaminated water.

Meanwhile, the bacteria has been discovered in part of the water supply at Powys's Llandrindod Wells Hospital.

Powys Teaching Health Board said there had been no reported cases of anyone being affected by the bacterium so far.

The three cases in Carmarthen all have links to the town.

'Identify the source'

They were all admitted to hospital as a result of their illness but have since been discharged.

Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain and a dry cough, as well as fever, muscle aches, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Legionnaires' disease can lead to pneumonia and can be fatal.

Dr Mac Walapu, consultant in communicable disease control for Public Health Wales, said: "We are continuing to speak to the three people who have been unwell to gain a better understanding of their movements in the days before they became ill in order to try and identify the source of the disease.

"It is important to note that Legionnaires' disease is very rare and most people who come into contact with the bacteria that cause infection will not become ill."

Information has been circulated to GPs and hospitals to advise them to be alert to the symptoms of the disease.